Finding Christmas... a Robert Munsch Book Review

This week we were given the opportunity to review a book from Scholastic Books... it is part of our festive reading series leading to the holiday month.

Finding Christmas by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko, 2012, North Winds Press, ISBN: 978-1-4431-1317-5, Ages 3-8 - 32 pages - 8 ¾" x 10 5/16" 

Every single Christmas, Julie finds the presents her mom and dad have hidden. But this year, the presents are nowhere to be found! Have her parents decided not to have Christmas at all? So Julie searched the house and in places she found the presents in previous years... but they are nowhere to be found. Does she find them... or will she become something special on Christmas morning??? It becomes the family's most memorable Christmas ever!!!

My Review~~ This brings me back to memories of searching for my gifts every year as a child but I never found them... As my kids grow up I enjoy the idea of them eventually trying to figure out where we hide their gifts from us. The book is full of excitement and the kids guessing if Julie was going to be able to find her presents. We loved the ending and really want to leave it for you to figure out... where she finds the gifts and why it is a wonderful Christmas for her family...

On a fun side... there is a fun game on the Scholastic Book site to play and go allow with this book
Click HERE for the link to play!


Thanks to Scholastic Books for the chance to review this lovely book! It will definitely be a fun annual read for our family.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Happy reading!

How Does a Dinosaur Say Happy Chanukah? Review

Our second book, we have the opportunity to review in the festive book series from Scholastic Books is...

How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yelon & Mark Teague, 2012, The Blue Shy Press, ISBN: 978-0-545-41677-1 HC,  40 Pages,  Ages 0-4, 9" x 12".

Little dinosaurs love to celebrate the Festival of Lights, from the warm glow of holiday candles in the menorah to the fun of family gatherings. But sometimes the excitement of Chanukah, its treasured rituals, and the tradition of gifts can tempt a youngster to misbehave.... 
Come along on a joyful romp filled with tumbling dreidels and melting gelt as North America's favourite prehistoric pals spread a little mischief this season. Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs fidget, fuss, and stomp through every occasion, while their human parents shift from shock to weary patience. 

My Review~~ This was a great way to teach my kids about the festival of lights and Chanukah. We discussed what Chanukah was and he traditions around the holiday. We talked of the games that children play during the celebration of lights. We also talked about the eight nights of festival of lights and what happens. We discussed the behaviour that kids might be acting like as with those children feel during Christmas. We discussed how it is important to behave well in all children during the holiday season. It makes the kids think about the holidays and how it celebrated by everyone. 


Here is a inside look of the book....

Thanks to Scholastic Books and we hope that you will give this book a read for this holidays!!!

Check back and see what our next book review will be for the holidays... next week!

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Happy Reading!

It's Holiday Book Reviews Time...

We have been fortunate to be given the opportunity to review some books from Scholastic books in their holiday theme series.
So just in time for the Holiday season and with Christmas just around the corner...here are the books we reviewed...maybe some will make it under your Christmas tree or as part of you Christmas reading list, of interactive Advent Calendar countdown using the books each day leading to Christmas day or as the 8 nights of gifts of Chanukah.

How Does a Dinosaur Say Merry Christmas? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague; 2012, The Blue Sky Press, ISBN 978-0-545-41678-8 HC, 40 Pages, Ages 0-4, 9" x 12" 

From decorating the tree to wrapping presents, little dinosaurs love to celebrate Christmas — and everything about it. With ornaments on the branches and carolers singing at the door, the spirit of Christmas is finally here and filling the hearts of families everywhere. But when the stockings are hung on the chimney, and the cookies are left out for Santa, how can little dinosaurs go to sleep? It's so exciting! How can they possibly calm down and behave? 

Children will laugh out loud as dinosaurs secretly lick candy canes, take sneaky peeks at gifts, and disrupt the traditional family feast. With holiday surprises around every corner, the award winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague create an engaging, fun gift sure to be read again and again, year after year.

My Review~~ We really enjoyed reading this book. We first got to know all the dinosaurs in the inside cover of the book. We talked about the what a dinosaur might do at Christmas time and why he might do the things the book asked about, such as "Does he rip open presents set under the tree?" Then as we read on we discussed how we should behave at Christmas time and how excited we get at this time of the year but should be on our most wonderful behaviour to show our appreciation to how fortunate we have been all year long. This book was well illustrated and well written in the way kids would find fun and interesting. It allows parents and kids could interact with the ideas brought up in the book. It will definitely be a book we bring out every year to discuss how to behave (just in time for our Elf on the Shelf... Little Gene to arrive)

Here is a look into the book...

Thanks to Scholastic for the book to review... we will feature another Holiday book next week that we are reviewing from Scholastic.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Scholastic for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Read-to-Me-Mama- Mondays #5

In this edition of R2MM Mondays, we were able to review a series of books by Nicholas Oldland (author /illlustrator) of the three titles we received.

Big Bear Hug, 

© 2009, 

4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, 

Ages: 3 to 7, 

Grades: Pres

chool to 2, 

Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-464-7, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Science & Technology

Life Science
habitats
ecosystem
READING LEVELS
Fountas & Pinnell I
Grade Level 1/2
Reading Recovery15-16
Accelerated ReaderLG   2.5
About the book: 
Bear is a hugger...yes a huge bear is wandering through the forest and he's hugging everything he sees! A beaver? And a moose? And a bird? And a tree?Welcome to the world of Big Bear Hug, a contemporary fable about a bear who has an appetite for hugging everything in sight - even creatures that bears have been known to eat. One day, the benevolent bear meets up with a human. This human proceeds to do something the bear cannot understand: he raises his axe and begins to cut down a tree. Suddenly the bear doesn't feel like hugging anymore and must make a difficult decision on how to stop this destruction in his forest. The environmental message of Big Bear Hug is both funny and powerful, while simple enough to engage very young children and show them the awesome power of a hug.
My Review: I love the premise behind this story...of which there are many. First, the bear hugs everything he sees...even things he has been known to eat. Second, when faced with a decision, bear realizes he must take stand and make hi point known to the human. And third, the environment message underlying that leads you to ask "what would the animals do if they took a stand on the harvesting of trees?" makes you wonder if all humans in the forest would meet the same demise as this one did???? I love the things that come into my adult brain when I read this, especially because I was raised in a town where the forestry industry is the main staple of income for most. What if the animals all rebelled to the cutting down of trees...how would they do it? What would be the end result? This book brings to a lighthearted look on the ecosystems and habitats of animals a great way to touch briefly on the environment as well. I discussed with Princess B, what bear could have changed to his reaction in the trees being cut down. We also talked about emotions and how they get expressed differently in various situations.

Making the Moose Out of Life, © 2010, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages, Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: Preschool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN:978-1-55453-580-4, $16.95 CAD

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:

Moose is from the start of the story, quiet and reserved in his character. This moose may live in the wild, but he doesn't act it — he watches from the sidelines as his friends have fun. Every now and then, he wonders if he's missing out on anything. When the moose finally takes a chance and goes on a solo sailing trip, a raging storm carries him far from everything he knows. Will he curl up in a ball and cry, or make the 'moose' of it? This once mild-mannered moose, soon learns how to take life by the antlers.

The moose's unlikely hero-journey is a lighthearted, contemporary fable that celebrates living life to the fullest.

My Review: This is a great read to show how not everything we do is set in stone, and when we are faced with a dilemma we must make the 'moose' of it. Live life to its fullest potential. this book introduces kids to the idea of making friends as well as getting to know yourself. The pun also kept me interested as an adult. It talks of how trying something new gives you confidence and self-esteem.

The Busy Beaver, © 2011, 4-color • 8 x 8 • 32 pages,  Ages: 3 to 7, Grades: PreSchool to 2, Hardcover Jacket, ISBN: 978-1-55453-749-5, $16.95 CAD
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Language Arts

Picture Books

READING LEVELS

Fountas & Pinnell I

Grade Level 1/2

Reading Recovery15-16

About the book:
The busy but careless beaver spends his days following random impulses, rarely thinking things through and leaving in his wake a devastated forest filled with stumps, half-nibbled trees and injured, homeless animals. But then one day the beaver finds himself on the wrong side of a falling tree, which as it turns out, is just the thing to knock some sense into him. After reflecting on his behavior, he decides to make some changes. Soon, the now wiser and gentler beaver is getting down to the business of making things right, much to the delighted surprise of his forest friends. This charming story which gently teaches youngsters how to take care with others, as well as the world around us.
My Review: I love the idea behind this book that if we rush through things without taking the time...things don't get done right. This is something for my new JK'er, she rushes everything and fails to take her time just so she get things done. This leads to carelessness and messy work along with disorganization in the long run. It shows how if you just slow down and look around you notice how things were not done in the greatest of your potential and could cause harm others around us.



This series of books by Nicholas Oldland, are colourful and the illustrations are stunning. Oldland has wonderful ideas that come to life in his 3 books here. We really enjoy reading them time and again.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Kids Can Press for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Read to Me Mama Mondays #4

 The Munchkins and I recently received a new release book from Kids Can Press to review.
The book is called My Name is Elizabeth!

Author: Annicka Dunklee
Illustrator: Matthew Forsythe

© 2011 

4-color • 9 x 9 • 24 pages Ages: 3 to 7 Grades: PreSchool to 2

Hard cover Jacket ISBN:978-1-55453-560-6
$16.95 CAD
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Character Education
self-respect
READING LEVELS
Fountas & Pinnell G
Grade Level 1
Reading Recovery 11-12
About the book:

Meet Elizabeth. She's got a pet duck, a loving granddad and an awesome first name. After all, she's got a queen named after her! So she's really not amused when people insist on using nicknames like "Lizzy" and "Beth." She bears her frustration in silence until an otherwise ordinary autumn day, when she discovers her power to change things once and for all. In the process, Elizabeth learns about communication and respect — and their roles in building better relationships with family and friends. The two-toned illustrations reflect the story's energy and sass, and the comic-book-like format makes it easy to follow. The cheeky, retro drawings also keep it real — depicting the sometimes-feisty Elizabeth as a resolutely normal kid — whether she's flossing her teeth or feeding her pet duck. 

My Review: This book is very colourful and the illustrations are just eye-catching. It really puts forth the importance of being self-confident and having respect for yourself. Everyone at some point in their lives comes home with a nickname, and sometimes it is one we don't like at all. Elizabeth stands up to those individuals and makes sure they call her by her proper name. She shows love for her name and how it is important to her in every way...even a queen shares the same name with her. Pride in your name helps you respect yourself. Names are given because they have a meaning to your parents whether it be sentimental or not. No matter the number of letters in your name you should love it because it makes you who you are. This book teaches children to stand up for themselves when they don't like how people are addressing them and doing so in a means of communication so as to create understanding and respect. It was a hit with 4 year old Princess B because she herself has communication issues when it comes to her new classmates this year pronouncing her name properly...after all "B" and D" when an "r" follows do sound similar...NOT! I seen a lot of Princess B in "Elizabeth" the attitude and tenacity are certainly there as well as the need to show how important she is to everyone. Overall a definite good reader when it comes to teaching communication and respect for one's self. I think the next time I read it with Princess B we will discuss the ways Elizabeth could have reached out to others regarding her name, as well as manners.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Kids Can Press for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Read-To-Me-Mama Mondays #3

I am sorry for taking so long to put another edition of this series up....life has been hectic here. Now I am back to help promote reading to your child, as part of my daughter's JK program the kids received a red file folder and inside was a calendar and instructions for the parents to read to their children every night and sight on the calendar then return the folder with the communication folder each day for the teacher to give the children a stamp for the day and at the end of the month they would get a reward (to be placed on the opposite page in chart form for each month. I think this is a great way to peak your child's literary interests and it can be reading on all levels of media forms (such newspaper, magazines, instruction manuals, cook books) as well as books. I love this idea, not only does it force parents to read to their child but also slow down and take some end of day time to be with your family. The only thing is how does the school reinforce the importance to those parents who don't see it as important, that question was answered today when the teacher instructed the siblings of one student to read to them and sign off on it because it was an important part of learning.
So today, I want to discuss some of the books we have been reading as part of Princess B's JK program.

 Chester by Melanie Watt (Author/ Illustrator), 2007, ISBN: 978-1-55453-1-40-0 (Hardcover), ISBN: 978-1-55451-460-9 (Paperback),  Ages 4-8, 32 pages, $18.95 (Hardcover), $8.95 (Paperback) CAD
Chester is a picture book with more. Inside the cover of the book is a story that is told and retold through dueling authors. The author, Melanie, starts the story out about a mouse in a house, when all of a sudden Melanie's cat, Chester, takes over the story with his red marker and send that mouse packing and then rewrites the story about himself. As Chester's antics escalate Melanie and the mouse won't have any of it. Chester becomes a powerful and confident feline with his red marker in tow, while Mealnie and mouse fight back to regain control of this book. Needless to say, Chester loses his power when he is written into the story as a pink tutu wearing cat.
My Review: This was one of the funniest books I have read. The kids and I enjoyed the take-charge-cat but his antics with the red marker for the kids was "naughty" It was a picture book filled with questions as to what Chester would do next. And the end when he was written in as a pink tut wearing cat was where the giggles came out for all of us. We loved discussing the antics and what was wrong with them. Chester and his red marker take over was a hit but the wonderful story was able to introduce to my kids what was right and wrong in a situation such as this, not that we have a cat that can take over out book but maybe when faced with not wanting something instead of forcing a change maybe discussing why you don't like the situation and how you can compromise may be an option.
I found a great site with activities that we will be using the more we read Chester, go to the follow URL: http://www.bookcentre.ca/activity_chester

Cinnamon Baby by Nicola Winstanley, Illustrated by Janice Nadeau, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-55337-821-1, 32 pages, Ages 3-7, $18.95 CAD
This book is a modern version of folklore that brings to discussion of a magical remedy for stopping a baby from crying. It starts that story about a baker named Miriam, who creates delicious bread works of art that fill your nose full of wonderful scents and make you tongue come alive with each bite. As each page turns we learn that 

Miriam's own favorite cinnamon bread also delights Sebastian, a musician who enters her shop, that he buys it every day for a year and then asks her to marry him. After a baby is born to the happy couple, all is blissful until their bundle of joy begins crying. And crying. Only when the two are almost at wit's end does Miriam suddenly know, looking down at her baby curled up like a little raisin, exactly what she must do.

A celebration of the bond between mother and child and an ode to the power of our senses, each delectable word and image of this beautifully told and illustrated story will be savoured.

My Review: This is a lovely tale of how the bond between mother and child begins in the womb. It is a wonderful story of how the love of a mother knows just what a child needs. It is this sixth sense, that brings this crying baby to a sudden squeal of happiness. It is as much as lovely to read as it is to look at the illustrations that are a beautiful compliment to the tale. For me this was a great tale to use as a means to end the day for my kiddies, reminding me of though the day may not always be perfect and they may not always listen but I love them not matter what.

On the Kids Can Press link to this book are some story time activities that can be used to promote the caring character education that this book holds for the children, from prop suggestions to discussion of the five senses to sound and smell recognition to the discussion on how they parent(s) make the student feel better or comforted when they are sad. Also included is a page to allow the children to draw their favourite smell.

Disclaimer: I received these books from Kids Can Press for the purpose of writing a review of the them, free of charge. There was no monetary gains made on my part. The opinions expressed here at strictly that of mine and you are free to make your own judgement.

Mama-Read-To-Me-Mondays #2

Well, it is time for our second instalment on "Mama-To-Me-Mondays" here at AM2CW. This post will feature a wonderfully fun book by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, called "Spork."

Spork by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, ISBN: 978-1-55337-736-8, $18.95 CAD, Hard Cover Jacket, 32 pages, 2010, Kids Can Press.

This was a book tells the tale of Spork, he is a utensil who's father was a fork and mother was a spoon. Spork was the result of his parents' love, and a little bit of both. The stories tells of Sporks ongoing struggle to fit into the strict life of the cutlery drawer. For one the spoons think Spork is too pointy and the forks think he is to round. And Spork can never seem to find a place at the table for meal time. But one day something changes in the household and it start to get messy. A "thing" begins to sit at the table and the utensils cannot get properly used by "thing." The strict rules of the cutlery drawer becomes a mess because "thing" does not understand table manners. Spork could come into his own with the "thing" because of his multiuses. A tale told with humour and fun outlook on Spork's ordeal. 

This book is geared to ages 3-7 , grades Preschool to 2.

Our Review: Princess found this tale of Spork's strive to fit in very enjoyable, as with each page turn she waited to see if Spork found a place to be "just right." Princess did not like the way Spork was treated by the spoons and forks, and at time throughout the story was saddened by Spork's misfortune of always being left behind while the other cutlery were placed on the table. She light up with jubilation when "Thing" came to the table and Spork's potential and usefulness was realized as he was neither "too round nor too pointy." Upon introducing "thing" to the story, I asked Princess if she knew what "messy thing" could be. All in all this story was great at introducing the idea of tolerance and inclusiveness, as well as individuality. I really enjoyed discussing with Princess why Spork was feeling left out and what made him different from the others. The book was very cute with its illustrations of Spork and the emotions he felt were very well seen in Spork's illustration. It kind of help me look at how I would help Princess realize her potential in individuality. We will be discussing the emotions we feel this week to coincide with our reading of Spork. This is a charming and wonderful book to enjoy this summer.

                       3 Thumbs up from the Munchkins and this Mama!

Disclaimer: We have received this book reviewed above free of charge from Kids Can Press in exchange for our review. There was no monetary gain made from this book review, no money exchanged hands, only a good read. The opinions and point of view expressed here in this review is that of my own and to some extent the Munchkins. Please feel free to make your own choices.

Mama & the Munchkins: Mama-Read-To-Me-Monday #1!

Welcome Everyone to AM2CW newest feature "Mama-Read-To-Me-Monday" with the Munchkins. It will be a regular feature and sponsored by Kids Can Press on A Mama's Two Cents Worth..., on the first and last Monday of the month. I decided that this would help show you the books for our summer reading. The books will cover ages from birth and up, covering the Juvenile readership, so that Monkey and Princess can tell you what they thought of the books. Some of the features could include a series or an individual book.
I will include the ISBN of each book featured here. I hope you will enjoy the reviews as much as we enjoy the reading process. I chose to start a regular feature showcasing books to help promote the importance of reading to your child and having your child involved in reading no matter what the age. Without books we would never learn the importance of the written word.
Our rating system for our reviews will be based on 3 thumbs up (highest value) to no thumbs up (lowest value). I began reading to my kiddies in vitro, and continue to pick up a book or encourage them to pick up a book and read with them.

Today, we are reading a board book series, called Learning with Animals by Melanie Watt. It is a 5 book series, enabling them to discovery over 60 animals in these colourful concept board books. The series of concept books are geared toward the little ones ages 1 - 4.
This series includes  Shapes with Ocean Animals (ISBN: 1-55337-833-4), The Alphabet with Wild Animals (ISBN: 978-1-55337-829-1), Numbers with Farm Animals (ISBN: 978-1-55337-831-0), Colors with Tropical Animals (ISBN: 1-55337-830-X), Opposites with Polar Animals (ISBN: 1-55337-832-6).  Each book has a curriculum connection that varies from Visual Arts to Math to Language development to Skills & Strategies. On the Kids Can Press site there are stickers available for  parents to print off and use to coincide with the book series feature some of the animals from the books. At the parents discretion the stickers can be used as part of incentives, rewards or in a matching game.

With young children's facination with animals, these books offer a method of incorporating the animals in the learning process via various different settings, whether it be the ocean, the jungle, the farm or the polar settings; they all create a point of interest for many children full of bright colours. Whether we were delving into the tropics to check out the colours or counting the animals on the farm. The eye-catching colour and artistry got the Munchkins interest from start to finish of each book. Princess enjoyed the series quite thoroughly as did Monkey. I even made the book, Numbers with Farm Animals, into a song per say engaging their interest and asked to perform the song over and over again. Princess was asked to count the animals on each page to see if she could recognize the number. monkey was asked to identify the animals as well as the sound associated with each animal on the pages. We also would make the sounds of the animals for the number of them found on each page. This was the most fun for us because we had to combine the concepts. I would have to say that this was the favourite all because of the activities we were able to create to go along with it.  monkey also really loved the Shapes with Ocean Animals book, because I would ask him to identify the shape in both pointing as well as by words. The book, Opposites with Polar Animals,  was the biggest challenge for Princess because we are still talking about the opposites right now so it is a work in progress. Using this book also we were able to discuss some things such as camouflage as well as animal identification. The Colors with Tropical Animals, was fun for both Monkey and Princess on varying levels. Princess could identify all the colours while Monkey was just learning his colours. Very colourful book in the series featuring the tropical animals so widely from the Toucan to the snakes. Finally, the Alphabet with Wild Animals, 26 animals from around the world and some even unknown to me. We made a song game out of it where we focused on the phonics of the letters as we said each animal associated with the letters of the alphabet. Princess had fun and learned about a few animals, as did Mama. Monkey just like to sing the alphabet and tried to name the animals he was familiar with. 


All in all, we give this series of concept board books, Learning with Animals, 3 thumbs up for their well-researched topics, colourful and eye-catching imagery as well as the ability to bring learning more prevalently on in the various levels for the age groups they encompassed. 
**Melanie Watt, is the Author and Illustrator of the Learning with Animals Concept Board Book Series.
This board book series is a great addition to our library and will be read repetitively I am sure over the next few years as Princess and Monkey grow.


We hope you enjoyed our book review and look into the series as a chance it becoming apart of your summer reading.
Please come back and check out the activities we incorporated into our days in association with this book series over the next couple weeks.
See you on the last Monday of the month for our next instalment of "Mama-Read-To-Me-Monday".


Disclaimer: We have recieved the books reviewed above free of charge from Kids Can Press in exchange for our review. There was no monetary gain made from this book review, no money changed hands. The opinions and point of view expressed here in this review is that of my own and to some extent the Munchkins. Please feel free to make your own choices.


Ciao for now,

 & the Munchkins

New Features Coming Soon!!!

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to let you all know that in the coming weeks I will bring you a new feature here at AM2CW. We will be reviewing books that could possibly make it to your Summer Reading list for your kids.  The "Mama-Read-To-Me-Monday" feature posts will give you the run down of the book we reviewed, as well as what we (Mama and the Munchkins) thought of the book. We will be using our rating scale of 1-6 thumbs, based on 3 of us and 2 thumbs each. Also we will be including an activity that will be associated with that book or series of books in the weeks in between the next book review. The activities may involve printables, crafts or physical activities that will be inspired by the book or series we read.
On that note: the "Mama-Read-To-Me-Mondays" and AM2CW has a new sponsor, Kids Can Press Canada, has become our sponsor, providing us with books to review. So look for their button or banner arriving soon to the left sidebar. 
So please check them out...they are located in both Canada and the U.S. And be kind and check them out on Facebook. You are also able to sign up for their newsletter on their website. You will know Kids Can Press from the Franklin the Turtle series by Paulette Bourgeois, illustrated by Brenda Clark as well as Scaredy Squirrel series by Melanie Watt.
***Here's a little highlight on the Franklin books, it is celebrating 25 years in 2011 as well as the writer, Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator, Brenda Clark, are up for nomination on the Canada Walk of Fame. Did you know there are now over 30 book in the Franklin series?

So stay tuned to AM2CW over the next couple weeks, as we get our biggest jump into blogging, with the "Mama-Read-To-Me-Monday" taking off.

Ciao for now,

Princess & Cheeky Monkey's Book Reviews

We have the privilege of being able to review some great new books to review with Princess and Cheeky Monkey. We are so excited to share with you our thoughts on these books, and maybe one of them will make it into your child's library someday.
The books are courtesy of Scholastic Canada. Here are the books we received...after each book's little blurb we have included our review of the book. Princess and Cheeky Monkey have voiced their opinions here along with a Mama with 2 cents worth to share.

Porcupine in a Pine Tree (A Canadian 12 days of Christmas)by Helaine Becker, illustrations by Werner Zimmermann, ISBN-10: 054598663X, ISBN-13: 978-0545986632, North Winds Press, October 2010, Ages: K-2, 32 pages, Hardcover, $16.99
Christmas, as only Canadians can celebrate! Where else do Mounties frolic, squirrels enjoy a fine game of curling, and hockey players mark the season as lords-a-leaping? This hilarious, tongue-in-cheek re-setting of the popular Christmas carol is the perfect gift for Canadians new and old, young and young-at-heart. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" has been turned on its head and a new classic has been born!!!
My Review: Honestly, as soon as I opened the book to begin reading to the kids, I couldn't help but sing as I read. This is a totally fun and beautifully Canadian take on the classic. I enjoyed every minute of reading singing to Princess and Cheeky Monkey. They laughed as I read sang. Then I read to my parents over Skype and it was a hit. I think in my opinion for those Canadian readers out there, you need to have this book as a part of you holiday read. I plan to put together a craft in honour of this book. It truly is purely Canadian in every reference from the curling squirrels to the Mounties snacking and Leafs as the lords-a-leaping. And you too will be singing all the way!!! We have read this several times since receiving it...and look forward to reading singing it again and again...and making it part of our family Christmas tradition. We have been thinking about getting my parents, both curlers and hockey fans, their own copy for Christmas. Mama's favourite book for sure.

It's Christmas, David by David Shannon, ISBN 978-0-545-14311-0 HC, Blue Sky Press, September 2010, Ages 3-7, 32 pages, Hardcover, $19.99
Christmas is coming, and Santa Claus is making his list. David is trying to be good, but hen the house is fills with candy canes, Christmas cookies, and beautifully wrapped gifts, it's very hard to stay put of trouble! "No peeking! Santa's Watching! Be patient! No, David!" From wayward snowballs to sleepless excitement on Christmas Eve, David Shannon perfectly captures the joy and laughter of the holiday season, Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities--but with David's naughty trimmings. A surefire hit that is destined to be an annual classic.
My Review: This book was a huge hit with the kids and brought back many memories of my Christmases growing up with my parents using these words to keep good behaviour in my brain. Then we discussed the ideas brought forward, being patient and being on your best behaviour (but always). I love this ideas in this book. It was a fun read and the illustrations were so cute. it will remind you of all the things you as a child were told by parents and are telling your children now as the holiday season nears.

Mad at Mommy by Komako Sakai, ISBN 978-0-545-21209-0 HC, Arthur A. Levine, October 2010, Ages 3 - 7, Hardcover, 40 pages, $19.99
Little Bunny is REALLY MAD at mommy. She sleeps too late. She talks too much. She watches her silly grown-up shows instead of cartoons. And she gets mad for no reason--like just a few little soap bubbles on the floor. It''s time for Little Bunny to SPEAK OUT. And time for a hug later on. With the charming illustrations and spot-on understanding of young children''s thinking that distinguished The Snow Day, Komako Sakai brings us a REALLY ANGRY--and ultimately sweet--new story

My Review: This book is very cute to read because I suddenly realized how every parent creates in a child an characteristic of misunderstanding in them of how the day runs. It is teaching them a little about the fact that the world as they know is not always about them but more than that. It created in Princess the fact that she know had a reason to be "mad" at daddy and Mommy. She has said it 

once as well. It is kind of funny how easy it is for children to clue into what things mean.




The Queen's Secret by Frieda Wishinsky, Illustrations by Loufane, ISBN 975-0-545-98685-4,
North Winds Press, October 2010, Ages 3-7, Hardcover, 32 Pages, $16.99
Award-winning picture book author Frieda Wishinsky brings her gift of humour to this adorable
tale of curious young Kay who can''t help but wonder what the Queen might carry in her purse.
Whimsical artwork by Loufane complements and enhances the wit and charm of this royal send-up,
as Kay rhymes off all of the outrageous items that just might be contained in that mysterious purse,
until- oops!- the purse springs open and Kay finds out what''s really inside!
My Review: This was Princess' favourite book we read of all four. She loved trying to figure out 
the Queen's secret as we read too. It was a very special read for us, she even tries to read it herself. She sits down and goes throughout the book pretending to read, making up the story as she turns each page. It is a well written and beautifully illustrated book. I love the idea of creating critical thinking as you try to figure out the secret of the Queen. Princess loved that it involved a Queen. A great read for your little Princess that is for sure. We thoroughly enjoyed the read!


I hope that you will check out these books, at least one of them for you kids this holiday season. Huge thanks to Scholastic Books Canada for the chance to review these books with Princess and Cheeky Monkey. you check out the books on Scholastic's site and see inside each book by scrolling down the page.

Disclaimer: I have received the above books in exchange for a review posting of each one from Scholastic Canada! The opinions expressed here are that of mine and there was no monetary gain on my part.


Ciao,