Kid Konnection: 1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you an educational book for kids interested in ancient Egypt.

Summary: Mummies, pyramids, pharaohs, King Tut! Kids everywhere are fascinated by the wonders of ancient Egypt, and this colorful reference book is jam-packed with 1,000 fascinating facts. From the Great Pyramid and the Valley of the Kings to the Nile River and Cleopatra, discover all you have ever wanted to know about this ancient civilization. Unearth ancient hieroglyphs and their meanings; find out what was in King Tut's tomb; and get insights about the science of mummification. Learn about ancient Egyptian gods and famous pharaohs, and follow Egypt's battles for power in the world. After this deep dive into Egyptology, you'll be able to dazzle your friends and family with your newfound knowledge. -- National Geographic Kids

1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT by Nancy Honovich is yet another fantastic National Geographic Kids book. Honestly, if you haven't picked up one of these books and shared it with your kids, you need to NOW! These books are both educational and entertaining, and the photographs are outstanding (as you would expect from a National Geographic publication.)

1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT is non-stop fun facts about ancient Egypt. After a foreword from a renowned professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Penn, the book jumps straight into pages and pages of facts. That would almost have to be the case to fit over 1,000 tidbits of Egypt trivia into this book. Some of the facts might be old news to some adults, but I bet most of them will be fascinating to kids. Heck, most of the facts were fascinating to me!

You might think that a book with just a listing of facts about Egypt would get old and maybe overwhelming, but I can assure you that's not the case. 1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT has information presented in such a way that each page is more interesting (and fun to look at) than the next. The fact boxes include not only text, but images and photographs which add to the learning fun. In addition, there are different sections of the book that make it easy for readers to focus on one or two subjects rather than just a huge assortment of facts.

It's hard to sum up the scope of this book because it covers so darn much about ancient Egypt, but I thought I'd pick out a few "fun" ones. I was attracted to the section on Medicinal Diseases and Cures:

Egyptian dentists filled cavities with cement or a mixture of tree sap and minerals.

Wealthy Egypitans could affort meat, which is high in fat content. As a result, many people in the upper classes suffered from heart disease.

And here's another one from the 50 Plowed-Up Facts About Farming:

The limbs of fig trees are too weak to hold the weight of a person, so ancient Egyptians trained monkeys to climb up and collect the fruit.

I could go on and on with facts that I found interesting! I can't recommend 1,000 FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT enough. This book is a must-have for school libraries and classrooms as well as home libraries!

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Code-Breaking Activity Adventure

Every weekend, I host Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a fantastic book for those kids who are interested in coding!

Summary: Unlock ancient puzzles and secrets introduced via supercool codes and ciphers in this companion book to the new Explorer Academy series.

In the first activity book based on the Explorer Academy, kids test their knowledge of ancient codes and ciphers in a series of head-scratching puzzles designed to outwit even the most clever cryptographers. When kids successfully navigate the codes, they are rewarded with a first-class tour of the Academy.

Kids will have a blast, teaming up with the characters from the series and learning firsthand from the world's most renowned scientists, explorers, conservationists, photographers, and journalists. It's a far-flung adventure, too, traveling to historic and majestic locations around the globe. - National Geographic

I know my nephews (and my sister!) had their eyes NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER ACADEMY: CODE-BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE when I first posted it in a Mailbox Monday post. Like my son, they are huge fans of the National Geographic Kids books and that's with good reason. These books are just incredible -- beautiful photography, fun, and educational!

CODE-BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is part of the Explorer Academy series of books and the first activity book. I just love how this book engages middle grade readers. The book begins with a letter from the "Explorer Academy President" welcoming them to the elite Explorer Academy. She goes further to explain that they will be participating in the first challenge -- the annual explorer scavenger hunt. There is a "unique series of missions that will test your codebreaking skills." Sounds fun, right?

As kids solve the puzzles/codes, they will receive a tour of the Academy. Along the way, they can "work with" teams made up of characters from the other Explorer Academy books. These characters include scientists, photographers, conservationists and more that will teach them about creative ways to unscramble encrypted maps and messages.

Over the past ten plus years that I've been reviewing kids' books, I have to admit that CODE BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is one of the most unique books I've encountered. I would have enjoyed this book as a kid, and I know my kids would have too. The interactive nature of the book will appeal to the most reluctant of readers, and kids who are already interested in science and decoding will love it too!

This book has a lot going on! There are six different missions as well as an answer key in the back. There is an assortment of puzzles and codes on every page, some of which are challenging and some which seemed rather simple. There are also little side articles which teach kids about coding and problem solving tips.

Overall, CODE BREAKING ACTIVITY ADVENTURE is a fun way to learn problem solving and code-breaking skills. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Weird But True! USA

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you another fun book from National Geographic Kids.

Summary: It's weird. It's true. And now, it's red, white, and blue! Explore the wonderfully wacky side of the United States of America Weird But True! style. Calling all patriots! Get ready to explore wacky wonders, facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia about America's 50 states and territories! Did you know that there is a floating post office in Michigan? Or that a library book checked out by George Washington was returned to a New York City library 221 years late? Maybe you'd be amazed to discover that the ink used to print U.S. paper money is magnetic? In this latest and greatest edition of Weird But True!, you'll encounter all kinds of bizarre people, places, events, and things that make our country great. -- National Geographic Kids

WEIRD BUT TRUE! USA: 300 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT THE FIFTY STATES is another great addition to the Weird but True series from National Geographic Kids. This book is an entertaining way for kids to learn about the United States, and it's perfect for summer fun! 

WEIRD BUT TRUE! USA provides strange/interesting/unique facts about America's fifty states and its territories. Each page of this pint-sized book has amazing photographs (of course -- it's a National Geographic publication!), and fun facts that are guaranteed to make you scratch your head. In fact, some of these tidbits are almost too strange to believe, and you won't believe how much material this little book covers.

Rather than try to describe this book, I think it's best to let the book speak for itself:

The United States averages 1,250 tornadoes every year -- about 10 times more than any other country.

Jell-O is the official state snack of Utah.

A study found that Americans report more UFO sightings on the Fourth of July than on any other day.

At Oregon's Great Salt Lick Contest, competitors present blocks of salt licked by cows and sheep as art.

During a hurricane, 30 flamingos at a zoo in Miami, Florida, were herded into a bathroom.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, is known as the toilet paper capital of the world.

As you can see, WEIRD BUT TRUE! USA has entertaining trivia about the good ole' USA! Kids and parents alike will enjoy sharing these interesting facts. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Show Me History! Books

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a series of books that parents and kids alike will love!

Summary: Considered by many historians to be the greatest American president, Abraham Lincoln led the Union at the greatest turning point in the nation’s history. Abraham Lincoln: Defender of the Union! tells the story of one of America’s most admired figures in graphic novel format. From his childhood on a farm in Kentucky to the battlefields of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln served the United States with resolve, intelligence, and courage unlike that of any other president. Readers of all ages will be entertained and educated by the full-color illustrations and historically accurate narrative of this graphical biography. -- Portable Press

Summary: Alexander Hamilton: The Fighting Founding Father! tells the story of one of the most ambitious and controversial figures in American history in a graphic novel format. From a rough childhood on the Caribbean island of Nevis to the highest levels of American politics, Alexander Hamilton’s life was filled with adventure, conflict, and controversy. Full-color illustrations and an entertaining narrative make this graphical biography of America’s first Secretary of the Treasury accessible for readers of all ages. -- Portable Press

Summary: This graphical biography tells the story of the most prominent leader of the American civil rights movement. With full-color illustrations and a historically accurate narrative, Martin Luther King Jr.: Voice for Equality! will inform and entertain readers of all ages. From his childhood in Atlanta to his rise as an international icon of human rights and a fiery orator who refused to back down in the face of adversity, King’s life story serves as an ongoing source of inspiration. -- Portable Press

Summary: When Amelia Earhart became the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932, she immediately became an American icon and a subject of endless fascination for generations to come. In Amelia Earhart: Pioneer of the Sky!, the story of the bold and daring aviator’s life is presented in graphic novel format, with full-color illustrations and historically accurate details. From her hardscrabble childhood to her final flight—and mysterious disappearance—Earhart’s journey will entertain, captivate, and inspire readers of all ages. -- Portable press

I am so impressed with the Show Me History! series of biographies for readers ages 8 - 12. These books are a winner of the 2019 National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), and they are a fantastic way to make learning fun for kids. The four books in the series are ABRAHAM LINCOLN: DEFENDER OF THE UNION! by Mark Shulman and Tom Martin, ALEXANDER HAMILTON: THE FIGHTING FOUNDING FATHER by Mark Shulman and Kelly Tindall, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: VOICE FOR EQUALITY! by James Buckley Jr. and Youneek Studios, and AMELIA EARHART: PIONEER OF THE SKY! by James Buckley Jr. and Kelly Tindall; and I honestly can't even pick a favorite because they are all so outstanding. These hardcover books are written in a graphic novel format with colorful illustrations, and I think even the most reluctant readers will be drawn to these history books about some of our country's most interesting heroes.

I've read some graphic novel history books in the past and enjoyed them quite a bit, but I think the Show Me History! series has definitely perfected this art. Each of these books provides a brief history of these individuals' lives and accomplishments with fun pictures and few words. Kids will definitely learn the highlights of these people's lives while not being turned off by a long and "boring" biography. In fact, the books' website claims, "It's a time machine you can read!"

In addition to the accounts of history, the end of these books also include some interesting pages that complement the biographies. There are lists of other individuals who were relevant to the specific cause as well as timelines, glossaries, and ways to find out more about these people. I love that these books encourage kids to discover more about these American heroes on their own by providing books, websites, and videos!

I definitely recommend this series to teachers as well as parents because the publisher has made these books ideal for learning. In addition to the approachable format of a graphic novel, they also have made resources readily available to enrich the reading experience. There are reading guides as well as interviews with the creators. There are also sample pages to download:

I highly recommend the Show Me History! series of graphic novels for all school and home libraries.

Thanks to Media Master for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2020

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you the latest edition of a book that I've reviewed quite a few times!

Summary: It's the 10th anniversary of the world's best-selling almanac for kids! This year the Almanac features all-new content, interviews with explorers in each chapter, a special look at what was going on in the world when the first National Geographic Kids Almanac came out 10 years ago, plus the results of the 2019 Almanac Challenge and a new Challenge for kids who want to get involved with helping our planet. Kids can have fun keeping up with our quickly changing world with the New York Times best-selling almanac, packed with incredible photos, tons of fun facts, crafts, activities, and fascinating features about animals, science, nature, technology, conservation, and more. There's a whole chapter full of fun and games, including activities, jokes, and comics. Practical reference material, including fast facts and maps of every country, has been fully updated. Homework help on key topics is sprinkled throughout the book. -- National Geographic Kids

Every year I tell myself that I've already reviewed the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ALMANAC, yet every year I can't help but feature it again. It really is one of my favorite kids' books (ever), and the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ALMANAC 2020 is no exception. This is the 10th year anniversary of the publication of the almanac, and the publisher manages to add new things each year and keep it fresh!

The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ALMANAC 2020 is a must-have for home and school libraries. There is more information in this book that you can imagine; and somehow, the presentation and content make it so fun to read. Honestly, what's better than an education and entertaining book for kids?

Of course, one of the highlights of the almanac is the photography. It's absolutely amazing and often times breathtaking! You know what I mean if you've ever opened a National Geographic Kids' book. In addition, there are also crafts, fun facts, games, quizzes, comics, jokes, and more! One of my favorite things about the 2020 book is that it provides interviews with real life National Geographic Explorers including a geologist and climate scientist, an anthropologist, a bioengineer, and an underwater photographer.

There truly is something for everyone in this book. The chapters are as follows: Your World 2020, Amazing Animals, Science and Technology, Going Green, Culture Connection, Space and Earth, Fun and Games, Awesome Exploration, Wonders of Nature, History Happens, and Geography Rocks.
There is also a 20/20 Visionary Challenge which asks readers to imagine the world 10 years int he future and to imagine a positive change, invention or discovery that they'd like to see happen. The results will show up in the 2021 Almanac.

I know some kids are going to read this book from cover to cover, while other ones will just page through it and read what interests them. Either way, I think readers will become more socially conscious about the world around us... and that's a very good thing.

The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ALMANAC 2020 is a winner. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this novel.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: The Spy and the Traitor

Summary: The celebrated author of Double Cross and Rogue Heroes returns with his greatest spy story yet, a thrilling Americans-era tale of Oleg Gordievsky, the Russian whose secret work helped hasten the end of the Cold War.

If anyone could be considered a Russian counterpart to the infamous British double-agent Kim Philby, it was Oleg Gordievsky. The son of two KGB agents and the product of the best Soviet institutions, the savvy, sophisticated Gordievsky grew to see his nation’s communism as both criminal and philistine. He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union’s top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. For nearly a decade, as the Cold War reached its twilight, Gordievsky helped the West turn the tables on the KGB, exposing Russian spies and helping to foil countless intelligence plots, as the Soviet leadership grew increasingly paranoid at the United States’s nuclear first-strike capabilities and brought the world closer to the brink of war. Desperate to keep the circle of trust close, MI6 never revealed Gordievsky’s name to its counterparts in the CIA, which in turn grew obsessed with figuring out the identity of Britain’s obviously top-level source. Their obsession ultimately doomed Gordievsky: the CIA officer assigned to identify him was none other than Aldrich Ames, the man who would become infamous for secretly spying for the Soviets.

Unfolding the delicious three-way gamesmanship between America, Britain, and the Soviet Union, and culminating in the gripping cinematic beat-by-beat of Gordievsky’s nail-biting escape from Moscow in 1985, Ben Macintyre’s latest may be his best yet. Like the greatest novels of John le Carré, it brings readers deep into a world of treachery and betrayal, where the lines bleed between the personal and the professional, and one man’s hatred of communism had the power to change the future of nations. -- Crown

I guess I'm not alone with reading less lately. Booking Pap Pap is in the exact same boat. Neither one of us are pounding out books like we used to; however, he did manage to get a few books read recently... so you'll see a few guest reviews from him in the next few weeks! One of the books he read was a spy story called THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR by Ben Macintyre. Here are his thoughts:

 THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR, The Greatest Espionage Story of The Cold War, is a non-fiction thriller about Oleg Gordievsky, a Soviet KGB agent who turned to spy for England. Oleg grew up in a family dedicated to the communist party and therefore were privileged and secure. In 1961, at age 22, Gordievsky was sent to Soviet controlled East Berlin for a six-month work experience which coincided with the building of the Berlin Wall to prevent mass defections to the west. The image of the wall and what it stood for made a lasting impression on Oleg. Never considering any other career, he followed his father and brother into the KGB ranks in 1962. After several years of mundane work at the KGB headquarters, in late 1965, Gordievsky was assigned to a post managing a network of undercover spies in Denmark. It was during this assignment that he became somewhat disillusioned with the Soviet system after the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia and became enamored with the West. In 1970, Oleg returned to his old desk in the Soviet Union only to be reassigned to Denmark in late 1972 and later, in 1982, promoted to head the London office. It was during this time in Denmark that Gordievsky was willingly recruited and cultivated by Britain’s intelligence agency, MI6. Gordievsky worked as a double agent for 11 years until in 1985 he was recalled to Moscow for a meeting. It was upon arrival that he realized he had been betrayed and was under suspicion by the KGB. Gordievsky made an incredible escape from Moscow with the help of MI6. He left his family in Moscow and was reunited six years later; however the marriage did not survive the turmoil. He learned much later that he was “outed” by American double agent Aldrich Ames. Today he resides in England under a sentence of death from Russia.

Oleg Gordievsky is probably the highest ranked KGB intelligence officer ever “handled” by any Western country. He provided intelligence that impacted Soviet/Western nation relationships during one of the most critical periods of the Cold War. Decisions made by Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev were largely influenced by information provided by Gordievsky.

THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR is a great example of the “wheres and whys” of espionage as it existed during the Cold War. I was amazed at the number of Soviet and Western spies who were double agents. I was also surprised to read that the tactics we often see in spy movies like dissolving paper, message drops in strange places and miniature cameras were actually part of real-world espionage. This thriller, based on a true story, is fast-paced and rivals any fictional novel for intrigue and adventure. I would recommend THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR to any reader who has interest in the operation of the KGB and MI6 or has an interest in history.

Thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his review and to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Kid Konnection: Make This!

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you another great book from National Geographic Kids.

Summary: Create your maker space with this fun and instructive book, chock-full of hands-on activities and cool experiments to get kids thinking and tinkering.

This book is designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and supports all kinds of kid creators: those who prefer guided instruction, those who prefer to dream up and design objects on their own, and everyone in between. With thoughtful text and bright illustrations, kids get the tools and the know-how to tackle all kinds of exciting projects: building a kaleidoscope, designing a fidget spinner, planting a rain forest, creating a musical instrument, and more. Unconventional scenarios inspired by real National Geographic explorers give kids a chance to think outside the box and apply their maker skills to real life. Chapters are divided up by scientific principle, such as simple machines, energy, and forces. In each chapter, kids can start by following step-by-step activities, or get creative by tackling an open-ended challenge. Helpful sidebars explain the science behind what's happening every step of the way.

Make This! is perfect for curious and STEM-loving kids, families looking for a fun way to play together, and anyone else who's ready to get creative and start tinkering! -- National Geographic Kids

I bet you didn't know that tomorrow is the beginning of National Engineers Week, did you? Eweek was created in 1951 and "is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers." So it's perfect timing (if I do say so myself) to share with you the National Geographic Kids book, MAKE THIS!: BUILDING, THINKING, AND TINKERING PROJECTS FOR THE AMAZING MAKER IN YOU by Ella Schwartz with photographs by Matthew Rakola.

MAKE THIS! is a wonderful book for budding engineers ages 8 - 12. With almost 160 pages, this book has instructions for lots of interesting projects that encourage creativity. For example, there are step-by-step instructions for making a skee-ball challenge using an inclined plane as well as a rain forest in a bottle. Other projects that caught my eye include a Sound Wave Stethoscope, a Color Kaleidoscope, a Water Balloon Helmet, and a Fidget Spinner. I was truly impressed with all of the fun projects and just how educational they are. In addition to the easy-to-follow instructions, there are ratings for difficulty levels, items you'll need to complete the project, and how many people it will take.

I sound like a broken record telling you every few weeks just how great National Geographic Kids books are, and MAKE THIS! is no exception. This book truly gives new meaning to the words "fun and educational." As a mom, I loved the project ideas and instructions, but there are also text boxes with explanations (What's Going On?) and questions for that require some additional thought (Think About It). These elements really bring this book to the next level by relating these various projects to real-world applications.

I even liked how this book was designed. The chapters are broken into different scientific principles like Simple Machines, Materials, Systems, Optics, Energy, Acoustics, Forces, and Motion. Each chapter has between six and nine projects so kids will have plenty of projects to try. And of course, this book has amazing photographs and illustrations which really makes it even more enticing for middle grade readers.

All in all, MAKE THIS! is an excellent book for students interested in STEM. I highly recommend it for both home and school libraries.

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: It's Up to You, Abe Lincoln

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a terrific book that's perfect for the President's Day holiday.

Summary: History gets hilarious in this interactive Abraham Lincoln biography that will have readers laughing while they learn. Perfect for readers of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents of all time. But what did it take to rise from frontier poverty? To lead his country through the Civil War? To alter the course of history forever?

Father-daughter team Tom and Leila Hirschfeld’s tongue-in-cheek biography explores ten crucial decisions in one amazing life. With over one hundred pieces of archival and original art, fun facts, sidebars, historical trivia, and more, this book follows Abe’s footsteps through the close calls that defined his leadership and shaped America as we know it today. -- Crown Books for Young Readers

IT'S UP TO YOU, ABE LINCOLN: HOW I MADE THE BIGGEST DECISIONS OF MY LIFE by Tom & Lelia Hirschfeld is a fantastic biography of one of our country's best (if not the best) presidents. It's a unique look at President Lincoln's life and the difficult choices he made along the way. The book focuses on how ten of Lincoln's decisions forever changed the course of his life... and our country.

IT'S UP TO YOU, ABE LINCOLN isn't your typical biography and that's why it's so fun for readers ages eight to twelve years old (but if I'm being honest, I think high school kids will appreciate this book too.) While the book includes all this important historical aspects of his life, it presents the information in an almost casual and fun way. There are photographs and pictures with little speech bubbles that make the history lessons humorous as well as sidebars with interesting tidbits.

But what I really liked about this book was that it was more than just a history lesson. I was pleasantly surprised by how much information was in this almost 300 page book, but it was presented in such a way to make readers realize just how much Lincoln's choices mattered. For every turning point in Lincoln's life (or at least the ten major ones), readers are given four options that he could have made. Even one different decision could have been detrimental to the future of the United States. It also makes young readers see history in a different light... while also making learning fun.

IT'S UP TO YOU, ABE LINCOLN is just terrific for so many reasons. Highly recommended for President's Day and every day!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Waiting for Pumpsie

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a picture book biography that's tells a very important story.

Summary: "Change is coming real soon." In 1959 the Boston Red Sox was the last team in the Major Leagues to integrate. But when they call Elijah "Pumpsie" Green up from the minors, Bernard is overjoyed to see a black player on his beloved home team. And, when Pumpsie's first home game is scheduled, Bernard and his family head to Fenway Park. Bernard is proud of Pumpsie and hopeful that this historic event is the start of great change in America.

This fictionalized account captures the true story of baseball player Pumpsie Green's rise to the major leagues. The story is a snapshot of the Civil Rights Movement and a great discussion starter about the state of race relations in the United States today. -- Charlesbridge

WAITING FOR PUMPSIE by Barry Wittenstein and illustrated by  London Ladd received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and it's no wonder why. This picture book aimed at ages five to eight tells the story of Pumpsie Green, the first black baseball player for the Boston Red Sox, through the eyes of a young black fan.

Like many kids growing up in Boston, Bernard is a super big Red Sox fan; however, he wonders why they do not have an African American player for them like other Major Leagues teams do. He has grown up rooting for the black players on other teams, even when it's not always easy, but he really wants his home town favorite to have a black player. His parents tell him that change is coming, but he's still doubtful that it will ever happen. When the 1959 Boston Red Sox finally call up Pumpsie Green from the minor league, Bernard is thrilled... and it's even better when his father surprises him with tickets to the game!

I loved WAITING FOR PUMPSIE! It's a beautifully illustrated picture book that teaches young children about the important topic of integration. Not only is this book extremely educational from a historical perspective, but I love that it personalizes just how much this meant to African Americans at this time. In addition, it teaches readers that this transition wasn't easy for our country and many people (unfortunately) weren't accepting of these players.

By telling the story through the eyes of Bernard, I think it personalizes the story for children. It's probably hard for some children to believe that baseball used to be this way, and I think WAITING FOR PUMPSIE shows just how far our country has come... and how far it still has to go.

Another special thing about WAITING FOR PUMPSIE is that the publisher has an excellent curriculum guide available. This guide provides discussion questions with common core standards as well as activity suggestions, a cause and effect analysis worksheet, a making connections worksheet, and a timeline of events worksheet.

WAITING FOR PUMPSIE is an outstanding book that should be in every school and public library. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Blue Slip Media for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: History's Mysteries

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a book for the kid in your life who is curious about history!

Summary: Curious kids itching for real-life Indiana Jones-like intrigue will get swept away with the next book in this spine-tingling series about solving puzzles of the past--from whole civilizations that have vanished to mystifying monuments and urban legends.

Fans of Night at the Museum and the Indiana Jones saga will be fascinated by these real-life mysteries: Is there any truth to the legend of Bigfoot? Why have planes and ships suddenly disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle? Is there really a lost city of gold in the jungle of Central America? The next book in this exciting new series will cover even more of history's most fascinating head-scratching conundrums, including the curse of the Hope Diamond, King Tut's tomb, black holes, the puzzling disappearance of ancient civilizations, cryptic creatures of myth and legend, long-lost treasure, and so much more. Kids can dig into these mysteries, uncover clues, and ponder leading scientific theories to help decipher what really happened. Chock-full of cool photos, fun facts, and spooky fun, this book is sure to keep curious kids engaged as they try to piece together these puzzles of the past! -- National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids is back with another edition of HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: FREAKY PHENOMENA: CURIOUS CLUES, COLD CASES, AND PUZZLES FROM THE PAST by Kitson Jazynika. It's the perfect gift for kids who are interested in history... and truthfully even for ones who don't think they are interested in history. This 160 page book make learning about history fun because it covers strange real-life mysteries!

HISTORY'S MYSTERIES is a very cool book for kids and adults alike. There are some amazing stories about some of history's most famous unsolved cases like the Loch Ness Monster, the Curse of the Hope Diamond, the Baiae Tunnels, and more! I've always been drawn to the mystery surrounding King Tut, so that section was especially interesting to me. But I found quite a few of the features to be extremely thought-provoking. I'm sure every reader will have a favorite mystery (or two!)

Once again, I am impressed with how these National Geographic Kids' books present material to kids. It goes without saying that the photographs and other images are amazing and certain to draw in even the most reluctant of readers. I also like that the written material is presented in a concise, easy-to-read way. There are plenty of fun facts, and I like the "New Evidence Revealed" sections. This book is about history but it's not at all intimidating to kids!

I also like that the ideas are offered in such a way that kids can try to solve these mysteries... or at least, they can come to their own conclusions about these mysteries. So while this book is providing some historical context to kids, it's also making them think about the information. How awesome is that?

I highly recommend HISTORY'S MYSTERIES. It's a must-have for school and home libraries.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Hey, Kiddo

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a terrific graphic novel.

Summary: In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka's teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett's family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett's life. His father is a mystery. Jarrett doesn't know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents. Two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what's going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. -- Scholastic

Looking back at Book Expo, one of the highlights was getting a signed copy of HEY, KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER, FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEALT WITH FAMILY ADDICTION by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. I have been a big fan of the Lunch Lady series for years; and when I found out that the author had written a memoir about his childhood, I just knew it would be something special!

HEY, KIDDO is truly a wonderful graphic novel about Jarrett Krosoczka's complicated childhood. His mother was an addict, who was absent for long periods from Jarrett's life; and he didn't really know his father at all. He lived with his maternal grandparents who undoubtedly loved him, but weren't always the easiest people to life with.

As Jarrett grows older and becomes more aware of his family situation, he begins to realize the truth about his parents. He learns to accept his mother and he even begins to have a relationship of sorts with his father. Despite all of this things, Jarrett does his best to just be "normal," and in the process, he finds that his love of drawing helps him not only survive, but thrive!

Words cannot express how much I adored HEY, KIDDO. This graphic novel has fantastic illustrations (of course!), but I was truly blown away by how these drawings were able to convey the different characters' emotions. I'm not a huge reader of graphic novels (although I do enjoy them when I pick one up!), and I guess I didn't realize just how intense they can be.

It certainly didn't hurt that Mr. Krosoczka had a powerful childhood story. His situation was definitely complicated; and it's a true testament, both to him and his grandparents, how he was able to use art to cope. I found Mr. Krosoczka's strength to be admirable, and I think middle graders and high schoolers will find much to appreciate in this story.

However, it's how much this book has the potential to help children in similar situations that really makes HEY, KIDDO so amazing. Mr. Krosoczka's story is not only heartwarming, but it also shows children that it's possible to get through difficult times with a good support system. Furthermore, it's also possible to get through difficult times if you find something inside of yourself that can make you happy, like Mr. Krosoczka love of drawing.

HEY, KIDDO has already been chosen as a 2018 National Book Award Finalist, and I honestly can't think of a book (or author) that is more deserving. Highly recommended!

I received a copy of HEY, KIDDO at the 2018 Book Expo.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Animal Zombies!

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a science book about some scary animals!

Summary: Zombie alert! Meet the real-life monsters of the animal kingdom and explore the gory, gross, and creepy behaviors these creatures have honed in order to survive.

Do monsters really exist? Find out for yourself in this fun-filled book, featuring some real-life wonders of nature: zombifying parasites, bloodsucking vampires, aliens, sea beasts, ghosts, and more. Discover more than 50 creatures with unusual talents, find out what makes each animal tick, and whether they are truly "monsters" after all. Features include eye-popping photography, spine-tingling scientific info, the most up-to-date research, and fun facts for extra knowledge. You'll also meet the "Mad Scientist" experts who study these creatures, explore the creepy origins of their mythical counterparts, and learn how these spooky adaptations help them survive. -- National Geographic

Halloween is only a few weeks away, so I thought it was the perfect time for the book ANIMAL ZOMBIES! AND OTHER BLOODSUCKING BEASTS, CREEPY CREATURES, AND REAL-LIFE MONSTERS by Chana Stiefel. This book presents some crazy, scary creatures... and I'm sure that kids will be attracted to these "truth is stranger than fiction" animals!

ANIMAL ZOMBIES! is geared towards brave readers as the introduction states. It actually warns you that you are "about to enter the darkest, creepiest corners of our world." This book introduces more than 50 creatures that are pretty darn scary because of how they look, what (and how) they eat, and more. You will meet animals who are flesh-eaters, brain invaders, and blood drinkers, but you will also learn that these very same animals have developed some pretty cool ways to survive and even thrive!

I don't know that I would have picked up ANIMAL ZOMBIES! as a kid, but I was a pretty wimpy child. Most kids are going to love just how scary these real-life creatures are. This book has some amazing photography (of course it does because it's published by National Geographic!), and I think some of the photographs are almost nightmare worthy. I mean nightmare worthy in a good way -- not a bad one!

ANIMAL ZOMBIES! is a lot of fun to skim through given its amazing photography, but it also is extremely educational. Readers, especially those interested in unique animals, will learn a great deal about some pretty obscure animals. For instance, there is an entire section on Alien Animals including body invaders and tapeworms. There is also a section on Animal Monster Mash which covers disgusting (my word!) animals like mucus monsters and spewing spiders.

As is always the case with National Geographic kids books, the information is presented in a kid-friendly way -- it really does make learning fun. There are tons of pictures with informative captions, but there are also "Did You Know? "sections and animal bio features. I  also love the fun facts that are provided for each animal like the "By the Numbers" section which has interesting tidbits about the size of the animal and the "Horror or Helper" section which makes readers see another side of these creatures.

ANIMAL ZOMBIES! is a fun book that's sure to creep out even the bravest reader. Highly recommended for home and school libraries... and even reluctant readers.

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this novel.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Turning Pages

Summary: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor tells her own story for young readers for the very first time!

As the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has inspired young people around the world to reach for their dreams. But what inspired her? For young Sonia, the answer was books! They were her mirrors, her maps, her friends, and her teachers. They helped her to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father’s death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible.

In Turning Pages, Justice Sotomayor shares that love of books with a new generation of readers, and inspires them to read and puzzle and dream for themselves. Accompanied by Lulu Delacre’s vibrant art, this story of the Justice’s life shows readers that the world is full of promise and possibility–all they need to do is turn the page. -- Philomel

TURNING PAGES: MY LIFE STORY by Sonia Sotomayor and illustrated by Lulu Delacre is a picture book aimed at children 4 - 8 years old, although I'd argue that it's a wonderful book if you are interested in learning anything about Sonia Sotomayor. The illustrations are lovely too -- full of color a and the perfect complement to Justice Sotomayor's story. I do want to mention that this picture book is definitely geared towards older kids (honestly, I'm not sure my four year olds would have sat through it) because it has quite a bit of text on each page for a picture book.

TURNING PAGES is really quite interesting. I had no idea about Justice Sotomayor's background beyond a few highlights. I knew she was the first Latina Supreme Court Justice and I knew she grew up in the Bronx; however, I liked learning some of the details of her childhood like that she lost her father at a young age and that she learned she had diabetes at age seven.

However, what I loved the most about TURNING PAGES is that this book celebrates Justice Sotomayor's life-long love affair with books. I absolutely loved how she talked about the books she loved as a child and how they affected her. And the words she used to describe her feelings were beautiful. For example, here's what she said about books after she learned she needed daily shots to manage her diabetes:

Books, it seemed, were magic potions that could fuel me with the bravery of superheroes.

Here's another way she described books:

Books were my loyal friends. They made it so I never felt lonely.

She has lovely prose like this on almost every page spread where she describes the power of books. To a book lover like me, these words were absolutely spot on... and so quotable!

TURNING PAGES: MY LIFE STORY is a wonderful glimpse into the amazing life of Sonia Sotomayor, but it's also a tribute to books! Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of the book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Guest Review: City of Devils

Summary: From Paul French, the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Peking—winner of both the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction—comes City of Devils, a rags-to-riches tale of two self-made men set against a backdrop of crime and vice in the sprawling badlands of Shanghai. 

Shanghai, 1930s: It was a haven for outlaws from all over the world: a place where pasts could be forgotten, fascism and communism outrun, names invented, and fortunes made—and lost. 

“Lucky” Jack Riley was the most notorious of those outlaws. An ex–U.S. Navy boxing champion, he escaped from prison and rose to become the Slots King of Shanghai. “Dapper” Joe Farren—a Jewish boy who fled Vienna’s ghetto—ruled the nightclubs. His chorus lines rivaled Ziegfeld’s. 

In 1940, Lucky Jack and Dapper Joe bestrode the Shanghai Badlands like kings, while all around the Solitary Island was poverty, starvation, and war. They thought they ruled Shanghai, but the city had other ideas. This is the story of their rise to power, their downfall, and the trail of destruction left in their wake. Shanghai was their playground for a flickering few years, a city where for a fleeting moment even the wildest dreams could come true. -- Picador

I am starting a full time job this week, so it's a great time for a review from my dad! He recently finished CITY OF DEVILS, THE TWO MEN WHO RULED THE UNDERWORLD OF OLD SHANGHAI by Paul French. It seems like an interesting true crime book about gangsters in Shanghai in the 1930s. Here are his thoughts:

CITY OF DEVILS, THE TWO MEN WHO RULED THE UNDERWORLD OF OLD SHANGHAI is a true crime book covering life in Shanghai in the period from 1930 until 1941. It is a story about Jack Riley, who ruled the gambling empire in Shanghai and Joe Farren who ruled Shanghai’s nightclub scene. It is a story about their rise to power, their ultimate downfall and the trail of destruction they left behind. It is also a story about old Shanghai and its Badlands and the International Settlement (under British, French and American control) as it struggled with the Great Depression, the Sino-Japanese War that raged around them and the effects of World War II. People came to Shanghai from America, Russia and other areas; some escaping the war, some outlaws looking to get rich.

“Lucky” Jack Riley was an orphan, an escapee from an Oklahoma prison and an ex-navy boxing champion who found his way to Shanghai and became the “Slots King” of Shanghai. “Dapper” Joe Farren from Vienna’s Jewish ghetto became a great showman who produced grand chorus lines and nightclub entertainment for Shanghai’s elite. Both men were involved with show girls, gambling, prostitution, alcohol, drugs, mobsters and anything else involved with the Shanghai underworld. Jack and John were enemies, then business partners, then enemies. They were very poor, then very rich, then very poor.

Author Paul French, through an enormous amount of research and an amazing writing ability, brought Old Shanghai to life in CITY OF DEVILS. He characterized in great detail how the Badlands operated during this period. He profiled many characters who revolved around Jack Riley and Joe Farren. Sadly there were no good characters, only bad ones. Even the lawmen, whether Chinese, Japanese or American, were corrupt. As I read the book it was easy to picture the events, people and scenes that French was describing. It was amazing to read how the underworld survived even as Japan and China fought, people starved and poverty prevailed all around them. The end came for Jack Riley and Joe Farren as U.S. lawmen squeezed them and Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and brought the United States into the war. As a result of the war, Japan left nothing of Old Shanghai standing.

CITY OF DEVILS gave me an interesting perspective of war and how life goes on around it. It also showed how some people profit from war. If you enjoy reading about world history then I think you will enjoy the small piece of it displayed in CITY OF DEVILS.

Thanks to Booking Pap Pap for his review and thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

Kid Konnection: Little Scientist Board Books

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a set of tiny board books that are terrific!

Summary: Mudpuppy’s Little Scientist Board Book Set is comprised of colorfully illustrated portraits of scientists who have made a historical impact on the world. Illustrations by Lydia Ortiz and words by Emily Kleinman introduce children to these important people in history with images that are fun for youngsters and also realistic. The Board Book Set includes 4 mini board books, 8 chunky pages per book, packaged in a slipcase box. -- Mudpuppy

I know it's a little early to start thinking about stocking stuffers, but the LITTLE SCIENTIST BOARD BOOK SET would make a great one! This cube-shaped box of four little board books about famous scientists is so cute... and it's educational too!

The LITTLE SCIENTIST BOARD BOOK SET includes four small and sturdy board books that are perfect for toddlers. These books are first and foremost durable! However, it's what between the pages of these cardboard pages that makes these books great. The four books cover a wide variety of scientists: LITTLE SCIENTIST ASTRONOMERS, LITTLE SCIENTIST PHYSICISTS, LITTLE SCIENTIST CHEMISTS, and LITTLE SCIENTIST EARTH & LIFE SCIENTIST.

These small books are made up of eight pages so they don't require much attention span, thereby making them ideal for little ones. Each page spread provides a sentence about a famous scientist. For example, LITTLE SCIENTIST ASTRONOMERS is about Carl Sagan, Carolyn Porco, Vera Rubin, and Edwin Hubble. As someone who doesn't follow astronomy much at all since my difficult freshman class in college, I admit that I learned a thing or two. I probably shouldn't admit that in books that are geared towards kids ages 1-5, right?

There are a few things that I really appreciated about the LITTLE SCIENTIST BOARD BOOK SET. I love that the books were about both men and women who were successful in their fields. (This publisher definitely gets it -- their first collection was the LITTLE FEMINIST BOARD BOOK SET.) In addition, I really like that the books' illustrations are so adorable and fun. They are just cute enough to engage little ones, but they also teach them by introducing some famous and very important scientists.

I can't rave enough about this collection of board books. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Eliza

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a soon-to-be-released picture book about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Summary: For fans of the musical Hamilton, here is a stunning picture book biography about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s extraordinary wife and an important figure in her own right.

We all know the story of scrappy Alexander Hamilton and his rise in American politics–but how much do we know about his workmate, inspiration, and stabilizing force, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton? Margaret McNamara employs the letter-writing style of the period to tell the story of Eliza Hamilton, who was born into a family of considerable wealth, power, and influence in Albany, New York, in 1757. Eliza was expected to marry into a similarly powerful family . . . until she met and fell in love with the charismatic Hamilton. She stood by him throughout his tumultuous life, and after his death, she single-handedly collected his papers and preserved them for historians and musical-theater writers of the future. Eliza outlived Hamilton by fifty years; during that time she founded the first orphanage in New York State, raised funds for the Washington Monument, and kept the flame of her husband’s memory and achievements alive. Featuring Esme Shapiro’s exquisite, thoroughly researched art, which mirrors paintings from 18th-century America, this is a beautiful and informative biography with extensive back matter. -- Schwartz & Wade

ELIZA: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH SCHUYLER HAMILTON isn't available until October 2nd, but I loved this book so much that I didn't want to wait to share with you! ELIZA is a picture book biography about Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton with words by Margaret McNamara and artwork by Esme Shapiro, and it's very special. I knew next to nothing about Eliza Hamilton, and I found this book to be extremely interesting. In fact, it piqued my interest so much that I want to read some more about this fascinating woman.

ELIZA was married to Alexander Hamilton and is only now getting the credit and fame she deserves. This picture book is written as a letter from Eliza to her unborn grand-daughter, and it details the major highlights of her life. She begins the letter with her birth to a wealthy family and then follows the story through her childhood and her marriage to Hamilton. She even shares some of the major things she contributed to our society after her husband's death. (She ended up outliving him by 50 years!)

Since I really knew very little about Eliza Hamilton, I was stunned to learn that she was the one responsible for keeping all of her husband's letters for future generations. She also raised money for the building of the Washington Monument as well as finding the first orphanage in the state of New York. She even met with all fourteen presidents. Eliza Hamilton sounds like she was one strong and amazing woman!

As much as I enjoyed this story in ELIZA, I also loved the artwork. The illustrator, Esme Shapiro, tried to make the pictures look like 18th-century paintings. How cool is that? These gorgeous illustrations really contributed to the overall "feel" of the book.

The picture book includes an afterword from Phillipa Soo, the original Eliza in the Broadway musical Hamilton: An American Musical, where she describes how she researched her famous role. It also has some additional details about Eliza's life that fill in some of the information provided in this picture book.

ELIZA is a terrific picture book that kids, especially fans of Hamilton, will love. Highly recommended for both classroom and home libraries!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Kid Konnection: Fall 2019 Dawn Publications Picture Books

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you two fun and educational picture books from Dawn Publications.

Summary: “If you were an animal—wild or tame, would you know your daddy’s name?” Every page answers this question with a different animal. Meet a joey riding piggy-back whose daddy is a sugar glider, a calf whose daddy is a towering giraffe, and a tiny fry floating next to its seahorse daddy. Children will be delightfully surprised by the animal in the middle of the book, and dads will especially appreciate the scene on the last page. Rhyming verses describe animal characteristics, and watercolor illustrations capture the feeling of all the different habitats, making every page a teachable moment. Additional animal information and matching game in the back of the book extends the learning. -- Dawn Publications

HE'S YOUR DADDY! DUCKLINGS, JOEYS, KITS, AND MORE by Charline Profiri and illustrated by Andrea Gabriel is a beautiful book that teaches young ones about baby animals and their daddies. Each page spread introduces a different baby/father pair including cygnets and swans, kits and beavers, and fawns and stags.

I think HE'S YOUR DADDY! is a great way to learn the names of baby animals and their "daddies." I will admit that I even learned a thing or two. The illustrations are gorgeous and provide kids with a lot to look at. There are even some special pages at the back of the book that take this book to the next level. There is a matching game as well as additional details about the various animals. Also included are additional names for daddy animals, some of the responsibilities of daddy animals and science and math fun!

HE'S YOUR DADDY! is a fantastic way to teach children about the names of animals. Highly recommended for school and home libraries.

Click here for a fun matching game!

Summary: Deserts are full of surprises! An amazing array of animals calls this driest place on Earth their home. Through rhythm and rhyme, children meet a new animal on every page. They won’t be able to resist getting in on all the action as animal parents teach their babies how to live in this unusual place—camels kneel, armadillos dig, dingoes sniff, and jerboas jump. Cut paper collages capture the subtle beauty of the desert and also “hide” more animals for young eyes to find. Additional information, a world map, and tips from the author give parents and teachers all they need to make learning fun. One part song, one part story, and one part sheer delight! -- Dawn Publications 

OVER ON A DESERT: SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Jill Dubin is another fun, yet educational, picture book for youngsters. This one teaches kids about the various animals that live in the desert including dingos, armadillos, and roadrunners. Like HE'S YOUR DADDY, this book shows baby animals learning from their parents how to survive in the desert.

OVER ON A DESERT has a catchy rhyming cadence so it's perfect for read-aloud story times. In addition to introducing a variety of unusual animals, this book also reinforces counting with more and more animals appearing on each page. The pages in the back of the book are full of even more information about animals in deserts. There is a map showing the various desert areas around the world as well as clues/details about the "hidden" animals in the book. That's right! Kids can go back through the book and find the hidden animals.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fun illustrations in this book. The pictures are cut paper collages add a really cool vibe to the story. If you want even more about desert animals, click here for activities based on the book including hidden animal pages, bookmarks, and a matching game.

Parents and kids alike will enjoy reading OVER ON A DESERT. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!