Amira's Picture Day Turns Perfectly Delightful

 

Amira's Picture Day

by Reem Faruqi

Illustrated by Fahmida Azim

Recommended for ages 4 - 8

Have you ever wanted to be in two places at the same time? Amira thinks that she's caught between celebrating a beloved holiday, or joining her classmates for class picture day at school. She doesn't want to miss being in Ms. Bailey's class' picture, but how could she ever miss the joy and tradition of Eid. Is there a way Amira can do both?

From this delightful young readers' story, it's noted that Muslims celebrate Eid two times a year. The first Eid of the year is known as Eid al-Fitr. It occurs at the end of the month of Ramadan, the month in which Muslims fast from before sunrise to sunset. The second Eid of the year is called Eid al-Adha. It celebrates the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage. Although only pilgrims in Makkah participate in Hajj, Muslims around the world join them in celebrating Eid al-Adha.

Amira is in a dilemma. She's so excited to celebrate Eid. She shares in her story all the fun traditions and the warm joys of getting together with friends and family for the events at the mosjid, the mosque or place of worship. As much as she likes school and her friends there, it's fun to have a special holiday away for a day. But Amira will also miss her friends at school for this very special day when they all take a picture together that they'll treasure for years to come. Can she find a way to participate in both? Maybe she can even find a way to share a part of her Eid joy with her classmates.

Amira's Picture Day is a story that shows a happy family that is exciting to learn more about. It's always fun to meet new people and learn about them, whether in books or in person. Through Amira you'll also get to meet her friends too.

The author brings these families to life in a way that jumps off the page. It's such a great mix of storytelling that's intermingled information of true life. Working together in telling the story are vivid, colorful, and memorable illustrations. Young readers will certainly enjoy these attention-getting pictures on every page that capture details and tone and the heart of the text.

Award winning author Reem Faruqi enjoys writing lyrical stories that reflect her own experiences. She has taught second grade, and her favorite time was Read Aloud Time. She also enjoys reading with her daughters at home. She moved to Georgia from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates when she was thirteen years old. You can see her photoblog at www.reemfaruqi.com.

Fahmida Azim is an illustrator and storyteller. She and her art have been seen in The New York Times, NPR, Glamour, and more. She has illustrated a number of books including her own Muslim Women Are Everything. She enjoys drawing real people living extraordinary lives and fictional people living beautifully ordinary lives. Originally from Bangladesh, Fahmida now lives and creates in Seattle, Washington.

Daisy Delights!

 

Daisy

by Jessixa Bagley

Recommended for ages 4 - 8

Wouldn't it be lovely to be named after a pretty flower? Dear little Daisy is named after her mother's favorite flower. She's sad when she starts school and discovers that some of the other students don't like her name, and even laugh at her. That makes her feel sad. Then she wants to go find things that make her feel happier.

When Daisy takes the time to look around her, she's surprised to find so much beauty in the world. She begins to collect some of the delightful things discarded by others who never took the time to appreciate their hidden value.

Daisy begins a fun collection of misfit items that make her happy. Then there's a mystery. Someone begins to leave her little gifts to add to her items, and to her enjoyment. Who could that be? Does someone else like to play this way? Does someone else know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Could this be a friend? Daisy is excited to find out.

The characters in this story are the cutest little woodland creatures who all attend school together. The raccoon, the bunny, the fox, the bear, and so on are shown in such clever illustrations. The setting is their community of forest land and flower fields. The pictures are captivating. The story is sweet and written for early readers to enjoy reading themselves, or to be read together with others.

Award winning author and illustrator Jessixa Bagley grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist and picture book author. Her love of picture books has been a constant goal through her life. Today, among her other accomplishments, she has a wonderful array of picture books. Learn more about the author at her website jessixa.com

Planet Ocean - To Read, View, and Experience

 

Planet Ocean
by Patricia Newman
Photography by Annie Crawley
Recommended Grades 4 - 8 & older

Here's a fun, fact filled, fascinating book that fully immerses you in waves and waves of information about oceans and the people who depend on them and love them, like you. This is your invitation to plunge into the unique experience of Planet Ocean. Get ready for a collection of stories that center around three specific areas: the Coral Triangle, Salish Sea, and the Arctic. Yes, the Salish Sea right in our backyard. The stories are read in the book text, shown in stunning photos, and shared in dynamic QR bar coded videos that are so easily accessible.

The writing captures exciting facts about how oceans sustain life and fill our souls with inspiration and creativity. This book includes motivating stories of action people are taking, especially young people, and how they're making a difference in saving our planet. Our planet is more than 70 percent ocean, why are we calling it Planet Earth when it's Planet Ocean?

The photography is breathtaking. These photos provide an added dimension to viewing the beauty of the ocean, and the plants and creatures in it. They also record the damage that's been done to the ocean, accompanied by very helpful text that explains the science behind what's happening. It's written to be well understood, very straightforward, helpful information.

And what an added bonus. Diver Annie Crawley invites readers along with her on diving adventures, through videos readers can easily access with the bar codes on the book pages. These videos are incredible opportunities to travel through the wonders of the Coral Triangle, the Salish Sea, and the Arctic, with narration by the diver herself. Have you ever seen the Edmonds Underwater Park from underwater? One of these videos will take you there.

People are the problem for our ocean, but we are also the solution. We can all learn. Actions that young people are taking now are showcased in this book, demonstrating how they are making a difference in the fight to preserve the ocean and its plants and animals. The book also includes ideas for what we all can do, and encourages the readers to each think about their own unique talents and interests and decide what they will do. The more we all learn, the better we understand. This book/photo/video resource makes that learning fun and exciting.

Award winning Author Patricia Newman's books empower young readers to act, because as she has seen, small actions make ripples around the world. She has written a large number of non-fiction and fiction children's books. Find out more about this energetic author at her website patriciamnewman.com

Award winning producer, underwater photographer, author, and motivational speaker, Annie Crawley, founded Dive Into Your Imagination creating a
series of Books, eBooks, DVDs, lesson plans, prints, posters, cartoon characters and more products to entertain, educate, and awe you about life within our ocean. She is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Traveling as a scuba diving instructor around the world with a camera in hand, she shares the ocean with you. Find out more about her at her website anniecrawley.com

Patricia Newman and Annie Crawley have been friends for a long time. They like working on books together. They are a great example of what wonderful things friends can do together.

Dear Beast, You're A Recommended Read!

Dear Beast: The Pet Parade

By Dori Hillestad Butler

Illustrated by Kevan Atteberry

Recommended for ages 6 - 9

Dear reader, did you know that some pets and animals in backyards and front yards write letters to each other? They are very nice letters, as you can see for yourself in

Dear Beast. How do they deliver their notes? Often by the efforts of snail mail.

Hip hip hooray for the pet parade. Andy has marched in the parade several times. He dresses up in costume. Simon his pet cat has paraded with him, not because he wants to but because Andy wants him to. This year Simon writes Baxter the pet dog a letter. This fun dog loves to play. He is nicknamed Beast. Simon's letter is an invitation for Beast to join Andy this year. That way Simon will not have to dress in costume and go. Will Beast accept? Or will he have a bone to pick?

In a back and forth of letters, preparations for this year's costume parade get started. There is much excitement and curiosity. Simon writes Beast that he wants to know more, but details drag. The cat decides to investigate among Andy's other pet animals and even animals in the yard. They are very clever with their animal instincts in the different ways they uncover clues and write back with their information about what they think is happening.

At the heart of this story is how much the animals love their boy Andy. They want his parade to be a happy one. Their love is matched by the love Andy feels for all the animals, and how he enjoys special and different times with them. The letters between the animals are all so funny. They like to joke and laugh and tease. Each letter writer puts their own personality into what they write. And through it all you can read between the lines to recognize how much the animals care for each other too. They are a community.

By the time you finish reading Dear Beast, you'll want to sit and write a letter of your own to a pet or to an animal you know in your neighborhood. There aren't as many letters now as there used to be, but a letter is a wonderful way to make someone else feel good. Maybe you can be one of us who make more letters in the world.

Illustrations by Kevan Atteberry are truly a delight on every page. They picture each character with such expression. The pictures of each of the letters show hints about the character doing the writing. Seeing the illustrations enhances the fun of the story.

The Pet Parade is the second of three books in the adorable Dear Beast series by Award winning children's Author Dori Hillestad Butler. Her own grandkitty Simon was the inspiration behind the character in this series. You'll see more on her website on this and the 55 children's books she's written, kidswriter.com There are wonderful resources too for teachers, parents, and others with children in their lives. There's fun information for kids too. They can even write a letter online to some of the characters.

Josie & The Mystery Room - A Good Read & Good Deed

 

Josie & The Mystery Room

By Florence Petheram

Recommended especially for Teens/Young Adults

A good read and a good deed. Author Florence Petheram is donating 50% of the proceeds from every book sold to a favorite Seattle organization. This non-profit, Treehouse is giving foster kids a childhood and a future.

Josie has moved to a new house. One room is forbidden. Josie has vowed she will solve the mystery of that room. What is going on behind the closed door? Interesting sounds, mysterious comings and goings by her new foster father, and a stern warning never to go into that room. It's a mystery, but there are clues.

As the story begins, thirteen year old Josie arrives at the doorstep of a new place to live. She's meeting yet another foster family. Every move in her lifetime comes with different people to get to know, an unfamiliar foster house, a new neighborhood, and new must-learn rules and chores. Josie “drew her invisible, see-through wall of protection around her . . .”. It turns out this foster family is different indeed, and there's much to explore with Josie & The Mystery Room.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are foster parents who suddenly have a full house. They've adopted a new puppy dog who immediately became best friends with Josie. Another surprise is Tina Rae, a ten year old who has her own trail of foster families and is now moving in here too. She's very interested in becoming Josie's little sister. Can a stranger become a sister? Can a group of people who join together become a family?

There are new neighbors to meet, including twins Blake and Brad who are in Josie's classes at the school she starts attending. These boys are very interesting and both want to be friends. Josie wonders what hidden secrets they may have. School turns out to be an adventure in a variety of classes. Josie begins to settle into this life. Yet, every time she passes the mystery room she lingers, she hunts for clues, then one day something unexpected happens. Suddenly Josie is able to enter the mystery room. She vowed she would one day, but now she hesitates. What will she risk if she goes in? What will she find inside? What will happen to her?

Author Florence Petheram has an exciting past as the Miss Petheram on TV's "Romper Room." She's also raised four children of her own. She knows how much kids and teens love a story, and she tells good ones. As you read, these characters quickly become friends. Their wishes and lives fascinate. A graduate of Whitworth University, the author lives in the Seattle area. Find out the other relevant and hopeful stories she's authored after you enjoy investigating Josie & The Mystery Room. And remember, 50% of the proceeds from eachof this book sold is a donation to Treehouse non-profit.

When You Grow Up To Vote - Read All About It

 

When You Grow Up To Vote
By Eleanor Roosevelt
with Michelle Markel updates 

New Illustrations by Grace Lin 

Recommend for Readers age 6 - 12

A famous woman, Eleanor Roosevelt once said that “Government is like a game. If you do not know the rules or what each player is supposed to do, it is dull, but as soon as you understand what is going on, it can get very exciting.” Here's a book that will show you the rules of this fun game so that when you're old enough, not long from now, you'll be ready When You Grow Up To Vote.

You are a very important part of our country. Now is a good time to start understanding how the country works with this fun book. The original great information from a famous First Lady was updated in 2018 by an exciting picture book biography author, and this book also has plenty of great new pictures by an artist who's praised by many including by the White House.

This book starts by describing close-to-home government workers and the important work they do for all of us including fire fighters, police, and garbage collectors and more. Then read about the jobs of the mayors, managers, and councils that represent the citizens of the cities and counties, and make the laws and policies that guide these workers. It's fun to run a city, and it's also a big job that keeps them very busy. Fortunately they have the help of other city workers. Just wait until you find out the work all these people do, and the workers you see every day in your neighborhood.

Have you ever wondered why we have laws? Have you ever wondered how an idea becomes a law? Spin the dial, or roll the dice, lawmakers have a real starting point and have to follow the steps and rules of the game to make a new law. See this chapter, and the helpful pictures to understand the rules for getting from start to finish for this part of the government game.

Laws and government is not just at the local level. Learn all about our national government, how it works, the part you'll play with your vote, and also our Constitution. It's time for you to get ready for the day that you too will vote, and this fun book tells so much.

In this reissue of Eleanor Roosevelt's wonderful book, New York Times bestselling author of early reader books Grace Lin has included timely updates to reflect today's country and world. In 2016 this author was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling. Illustrator Michelle Markel has written several picture book biographies and has added entertaining and helpful pictures to this book to show the story of how our government works for its citizens. The original author of When You Grow Up To Vote was Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She also served as First Lady of New York, on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

Locked Out In The Snow For Holiday Reading

 

Locked Out in the Snow
By Kim E. Kimmy
Illustrated by Hannah June
Recommended especially for Young Readers ages 4 - 9

It's the merriest time of the year and Kim is walking on snow. She's headed for the school bus that will take her to her second grade class, on the last day before winter break. Her family has so many exciting plans for this time of year for celebrating the joy of the holidays. The day at school is fun with her friends and Kim gets to bring home the many wintry art projects she's created. Kim is looking forward to decorating her family's home. Back on board the bus and headed for home, Kim has no idea the mystery that is ahead of her.

Kim is going to have an adventure. Kim is about to discover she's been locked out of her house. Kim's home is a farmhouse and she's not sure why her mom isn't home to greet her. Kim is cold in the snow. She needs to find someplace to wait for her family to return home. Kim decides to go into the barn and wait. Inside she finds some warmth, and the friendly animals to visit, and she realizes that in this manger she's reminded of a story.

This author, Kim E. Kimmy grew up on a dairy farm and with that background, she tells an enchanting children's story about a wintry and special time of year. The fun and excitement of the holidays jumps out from the pages, but she goes deeper than that to surface the warm emotions and love of family and friends. Finally, her character Kim shows the peace and love of the story of the first Christmas.

The illustrations by Hannah June are delightful and show the sentiments on every page. The colorful pictures are so eye catching and keep young readers turning pages.

What a nice gift idea too for parents, grandparents, and other adults in children's lives as this wintry, holiday season comes upon us.