Great Dog by Davide Cali

What do you want to be when you grow up?  At some point in each of our lives we have thought about that very question.  Children love to think about what they will be when they grow up.  This is a book that you might want to consider purchasing to share with them.   

This book approaches that very subject in a way that will bring a smile to a child’s face as you read this adorable book to them! 

As the story progresses, you are taken through a  wall of fame.  Well... pictures of family members that show such a wonderful  diversity of this family's members.    

The illustrations by Miguel Tanco are very interesting.   I enjoyed spending time looking at each of the family members and studying closely  the details in each picture.

The unexpected twist at the end was a bonus!

This would be a wonderful book to add to a classroom library.

Disclosure:   I received this complimentary book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed  here  are my own.

Shelter by Celine Clair

Synopsis:

As a big storm approaches, two strangers arrive in the forest. All the animal families, safe in their homes, are worried, unsure of their motives. So, they all turn them away when they ask for shelter, and the strangers are left to fend for themselves. But then the fox family is suddenly forced out into the storm, and they must ask these outsiders for help. Will they find it in their hearts to give it?

In my first-grade classroom my students love to be read to… especially those with animals in them. As the story progresses the pictures themselves give you the feeling that the storm is drawing near!   I can almost visualize the expressions they will have as I read it to them!  The rejection that the bears must feel when no one will let them in… how cold they must be in the midst of this terrible storm… the gratitude they have for the fox’s gift… the fear the fox family has when their home is in danger… 

Discussing generosity and kindness towards others is something that we all need to be reminded of sometimes.  What a huge difference in can make in our lives!

Disclosure:   I received this complimentary book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed here  are my own.

Me, Me, Me by Annika Dunklee

This book is about three young girls that are best friends.  Their school is going to have a talent show and Annie suggest that they enter as an all-girl singing group.  This seemed like a wonderful idea to Lillemor & Lilianne until they realized that they were going to have no say about the song they sang, the name of their group, or even what they wore!  They quickly realized that the talent show was really going to be all about Annie!  The group breaks ups and Annie decided to do a solo performance.  The other two girls decide to do a duet. 

All the girls quickly find out that things are not the same without the who group. 

This book is so typical of what children go through when they won’t work together as a team.  Will the girls reconcile before the talent show?  a

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Disclosure:   I received this complimentary book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  The opinions expressed above are my own.

Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey (Book #3 - Chesapeake Valor Series)

Book Description: 

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.  

My Thoughts:

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this the 3^rd book in the Chesapeake Valor series.  This book was worth the wait!   It seems like forever since I read the last book, but it didn’t take me long to recall the events from the previous book and I found myself totally sucked into this book.  Two days later (I had to sleep, eat & work!) I was finished.   😊  

This Christian/Inspirational Fiction book allows the characters to show through their words and actions their faith in God.  It is just a part of their life and the author does an excellent job of showing that without overdoing it!  As the reader, you know they are Christians, but it is not overpowering!

If you like a book full of action and suspense, then you might want to give this series a chance!   One of the characters, Declan was highlighted more in this book than the others and I was so happy about that!  He has always been one of my favorite characters in the books and I was glad this book brought out more of his character and deep beliefs in the storyline.  

The ending of the book was quite a surprise!  I love a good cliff-hanger and I was not disappointed by this one!!!! 

I would recommend that if you have not read Cold Shot and Still Life that you do so before you read this book. There is a lot of history between all the characters in this book and it will help you connect the pieces together easier.

Disclosure:  Disclosure statement:  I received this complimentary book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions are my own.

Monster Party with Oriental Trading

Every year I try to do something fun for our fall party in my first grade classroom.  This year I decided to have a MONSTER DAY!!!  I had so much fun trying to find fun ideas (that can be made educational) from Oriental Trading that I think they are going to LOVE!  They have so many monster ideas and it was so hard to pick.  I finally decided on these fun things.

Monster Bean Bag Toss Game – I am going to set this game up at a math center.  Students will throw a bean bag to knock over the plastic cans.  Students will add up the number of cans they knock over using the color key for the different colors of the cans.  Aren’t these little monster cans CUTE!  I will be using these for several other activities during the school year as well.  

Monster Weaving Mat Craft Kit – These will be a perfect addition to our Monster Party.  The only preparation I will need to do is it tear the perforated paper apart  and put in a container at our art center.  Easy Peasy…Lemon Squeezy!  I'm so glad that I did one of these ahead of time... Now I know I need to tear these apart before the party.  

Monster Piñata – It doesn’t get much cuter than this to use for decorating my classroom for our Monster Party.  I just have to figure out how to make sure all 24 of my students get a chance at hitting it before it breaks.  Instead of filling it with candy, I’m painting 24 small film canisters (Yeah! I finally found a way to use them!!) and then adding a Tattoo monsters into each of them.  

  

Monster Pencils – We will start our day by writing a monster story using the Tattoo Monster from our Piñata and a cute Monster Pencil!! These pencils are hard to sharpen in my regular pencil sharpener because of the coating that is on them.  But I have a hand turned pencil sharpener that works great on these pencils.  There are 6 different designs for the Tattoos and I'm sure my kiddos will have a favorite.

And of course… what party would be complete without food & decoractions.

Goofy Monster Head Lollipops – Super cute!  I really want to try them…but I only have 2 boxes (12 in a box)… and I have exactly 24 students.  There are 6 different designs and they are different flavors.  Yummo!

 

Mini Monster Luncheon Napkins & Monster

 Party Paper Dinner Plates – A monster party definitely needs to have monster napkins and plates!!!  They are so cute!  My kiddos are going to be so excited to use them. I love that they are very sturdy and the napkins were bigger than I was expecting.  

Mini Monster Cupcake Liners with Picks – I have a friend that makes awesome cakes and she has volunteered to make the cupcakes for my party. All I have to do it add these monster picks when I get them to school.  I think I will be more excited than the kiddos!!!  The liners are different colors and go perfectly with the monster theme.

Eyeball Gummy Candy – Monsters and eyeballs... they go together RIGHT!!!  I had to have someone try them out... Isn't he about the cutest thing you have seen all day!  He said they were delicious and wanted more!

That's it!  I am so excited about this party and can hardly wait to see the expressions on the faces of my students when they walk into our classroom on MONSTER DAY!    

You still have a littler over a month to get ready for you Halloween Party!  Please give  Oriental Trading a quick look... you will love their variety as well as quick deliveries.  
  

 Disclaimer:  I recieved the above products from Oriental Trading in exchange for my honest opinion of their products.

So Many Choices for Costumes at Oriental Trading!!!

It’s Fall Y’al!!!l  I am so totally ready for the cool weather!

Halloween is going to be here before you know it!  Have you started thinking about costumes yet?  I have the perfect place for you to shop. ORIENTAL TRADING!!!  Head on over there to see their huge selection for children and adults alike. 

My niece has always felt like she missed out by now being a part of the hippi generation.  She found this costume and now (for a day!) she is going to live the life of an adorable hippi.  I’m pretty sure that when she wears this outfit  to work at the Nursing Home, here patients are going to love it!!! 

Her little boy doesn’t even know what a hippi is and I'm pretty sure he doesn't know what a Whoppie Cushion is either.  His pre-k teacher is going to love it when he dresses up for the big parade at school.  Well… I don’t know about that…but she will definitely think this is a perfect costume for him.  Lol  Isn’t he adorable!!!

Halloween will be here before you know it  Don’t wait too long to find yourself the perfect costume. 

Disclaimer:  I received these products from Oriental Trading in exchange for my honest opinion of their products.

The Space Between Words by Michele Phoenix

SYNOPSIS:

“There were seconds, when I woke, when the world felt unshrouded. Then memory returned.”

When Jessica regains consciousness in a French hospital on the day after the Paris attacks, all she can think of is fleeing the site of the horror she survived. But Patrick, the steadfast friend who hasn’t left her side, urges her to reconsider her decision. Worn down by his insistence, she reluctantly agrees to follow through with the trip they’d planned before the tragedy.

“The pages found you,” Patrick whispered.

“Now you need to figure out what they’re trying to say.”

During a stop at a country flea market, Jessica finds a faded document concealed in an antique. As new friends help her to translate the archaic French, they uncover the story of Adeline Baillard, a young woman who lived centuries before—her faith condemned, her life endangered, her community decimated by the Huguenot persecution.

“I write for our descendants, for those who will not understand the cost of our survival.”

Determined to learn the Baillard family’s fate, Jessica retraces their flight from France to England, spurred on by a need she doesn’t understand.

Could this stranger who lived three hundred years before hold the key to Jessica’s survival?

mY rEVIEW:

The first time I tried to read this book… I couldn’t’ seem to focus on what was happening.  However, the second time I absolutely couldn’t put it down.  This book was not what I was expecting at all.   There was a mixture of friendship, terror, relationships, grief, healing, history, tragedy, family, and so much more that was woven throughout the storyline.     

Jessica is on a journey that she (or the reader) have no idea where it will lead.  I found myself hurriedly reading each page in anticipation of what might happened next.   

The emotions that Jessica experienced were illustrated so wonderfully throughout the pages. 

I love this book and am looking forward to reading more books written by Michèle Phoenix.

Disclosure statement:  I received this complimentary book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions are my own.