the Review Source
Books make the best gifts - gifts of imagination, gifts of learning and gifts of fun! Many of these books are ones the family can enjoy reading together!
Candlewick Press
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Because
of Winn-Dixie |
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Favorite Features -
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realistic and interesting characters
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strong messages of family, friends and accepting others without judging
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Excellent book for families to read and talk about together! I love the descriptive language used by the author - you are able to see and feel everything the characters in this book see and feel! Tremendously well done!
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Our White House - |
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Favorite Features -
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beautiful illustrations throughout
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very interesting information and stories - particularly liked -
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Jefferson's Monstorous Bones - by Barbara Kerley
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Andy & Me - by Marguerite Davol, Illustrated by Tom Pohrt
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Storming Down the Stairs - by Albert Marrin
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Hands - by Patricia MacLachlan, Illustrated by P J Lynch
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The Presidental Pet - by Steven Kellogg
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Backstairs at the White House - by David Small
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1600 Pennsylvania Ave - Who's in the House - by Bob Kolar
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This book is a great resource for research on the presidents and provides interesting reading for the family to enjoy together! I loved the illustrations throughout! Extremely well done!
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One Frog Sang Author - Shirley Parenteou Illustrator - Cynthia Jabar Ages 3-5 |
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Favorite Features -
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bright, colorful illustrations throughout
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encourages counting skills and number recognition
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note to parents/teachers
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Polly's Pink Pajamas Author - Vivian French Illustrator - Sue Heap Ages 3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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clever story
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encourages counting, too big/long/short/small comparisons, friends and color recognition
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fun, colorful illustrations
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Little girls in particular will love this story about a girl who loves to wear pink pajamas and her dilemma when invited to a party. Easy to read, this book is extremely well done!
Silver Dolphin
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amazing baby five little ducks! graphics
by
- Mike Jolley Ages - 6-18 months |
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Favorite Features -
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board book format
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cut-outs and fur add to the fun
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encourages number recognition and counting skills
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colorful illustrations
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This favorite rhyme is presented anew in this fun, interactive book for baby and parents to enjoy together! A must-have book for all families with toddlers! Tremendously well done!
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amazing baby a first guide to baby signing Author - Katie Mayne Ages - 6m+ |
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Favorite Features -
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excellent "how-to's"
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photos and descriptions for each of more than 50 words/phrases
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tabbed sections for ease of use
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index
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encourages communication and family bonding
Tremendously well done! Since children are able to understand language before they are able to actually say the words, baby signing makes a lot of sense! This easy to use book allows parents to teach their child basics for communicating and can help reduce stress and aggravation on both the baby's and parent's part as the child begins to communicate! Makes a great baby shower gift!
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The Field Guide
to Ages 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes information on eight unique and amazing sea creatures
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Leafy Sea Dragon
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Grey Reef Shark
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Sea Wasp
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Red Lionfish
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Dugong
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Blue Ringed Octopus
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Hawksbill Turtle
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Saltwater Crocodile
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each creature includes puzzle with information on location found and unique features
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includes pieces for a diorama
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beautiful and interesting
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A
Kaleidopops Book Author - Ruth Martin Illustrator - Peter Scott Paper Engineering - Andy Mansfield Ages - 5+ |
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Favorite Features -
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colorful illustrations and pop-ups
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color-change fish add to the fun
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information on 36 sea creatures
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Beautiful and interesting this is a book children will enjoy and adults will learn interesting things from as well! This book does a wonderful job of taking the reader on a journey through the ocean to discover unique and strange creatures! I particularly appreciate that this book does not push evolution on the reader, but instead allows them to be fascinated by the incredible variety of creatures in our ocean! Extremely well done!
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Journal
of
Inventions: by - Jaspre Bark Illustrator - David Lawrence Paper Engineering - David Hawcock Ages - 10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes Leonardo daVinci's drawings, sketches, notes and 3-D pop-ups of six amazing inventions
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flying machines
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hydraulics
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architecture
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war machines
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mechanical inventions
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mechanical man
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designed with that "old" look - "yellowed" paper, hand writing, "burned"edges
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pop-ups are paper engineering - things move making them even more amazing
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Interesting, informative and unique! If you have a budding engineer or anyone who enjoys history, this is the book for them! This is a fascinating book - you can't put it down without lifting the flaps and moving the pop-ups! Makes a unique coffee table book - one sure to get your guests talking! Sure to give you a respect for daVinci as he was truly a "man ahead of his times" - if that man lived now there is no telling what he would have invented! Tremendously well done!
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Flight Test Lab: Helicopters Author - Paul Beck Illustrators
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Joshua Beach, Harry Whitver, Ages - 9+ |
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Favorite Features -
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20 mix and match parts to build four copters
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power launcher included
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32 page illustrated book with information on -
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parts
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foundations of flight
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types
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history
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future
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step by step illustrations to build helicopters
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This book is a great tool to give a boy who may not enjoy reading, but who is very interested in helicopters or flying as it will help generate interest in reading! Excellent information on the history of flying and the possibilities of the future as well! Great for a dad and son to read and work on together! Extremely well done!
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Fine Art Studio: Drawing Author - Jim Bradrick Ages - 10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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teaches portrait, still life, landscape and drawing from imagination
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includes full-color instructional book with information and four projects and
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36 page sketch book
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artist's mannequin
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10 sheets of drawing paper
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3 graphic pencils
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terra-cotta pencil
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white pencil
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pencil sharpener
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smudger
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white art eraser
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encourages creativity, imagination and expression
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Excellent choice for the person you know - perhaps yourself? - who is interested in drawing and expressing themselves through art! Easy to follow directions on each type of project. Extremely well done!
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Fine Art Studio: Pastels Author - Mary Iverson Ages - 10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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teaches color/textures, landscapes, portraiture, still life and my room
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includes full-color 40 page instructional book with information and five step-by-step projects and -
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22 soft pastels
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five sheets of art paper
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charcoal pen
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blending brush
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blending stump
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viewfinder
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encourages creativity, imagination and expression
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Excellent choice for the person you know - perhaps yourself? - who is interested in creating beautiful pictures with pastels and expressing themselves through art! Easy to follow directions on each type of project. Extremely well done!
Harper Collins
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My Heart is Like a Zoo Michael Hall Ages 4-7 |
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Favorite Features -
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20 animals made from more than 300 hearts
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story talks about feelings and emotions
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unique colors throughout add to the charm of this book
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hearts everywhere . . . definitely add to the fun!
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encourages counting, animal recognition and expressing feelings
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Unique! I absolutely love this book and hope to see more from this author! Excellent opportunity for parents to work with children to count, explore and talk about animals, feelings, colors and more! Absolutely give this book to every family you love with children! A true must-have book! Tremendously well done!
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Fancy Nancy The 100th Day of School Author - Jamie O'Connor Illustrator - Robin Preiss Glasser Ages 4-8 |
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Favorite Features -
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I Can Read Beginning Reader 1
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colorful, fun, fancy illustrations we have come to know and love in the Nancy books
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helps explain the concept of "100"
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encourages creativity, persistence, vocabulary, imagination and compassion
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Another excellent Fancy Nancy book. Families could make their own collection of 100 things for a fun follow-up activity to reading this book! Lots for families to talk about regarding being imaginative, compassionate and not giving up! Extremely well done!
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Welcome to Planet 51 Adapted by Gail Herman Ages 7-10 |
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Favorite Features -
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colorful illustrations from the movie
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I Can Read Reading With Help 2
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encourages acceptance and cooperation
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Great book for your beginning readers to read before they go see the movie! Lots for parents and kids to talk about regarding accepting others even if they are different from us and cooperating with each other! Very nicely done!
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Planet 51 the Junior Novel Author - J. E. Bright Ages - 9+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes eight glossy photos from the movie
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encourages accepting others, cooperation, confidence and making the right choices
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Again, this is a great book to get for your kids to read before they go see the movie! Read it with your kids and talk about the important messages . . . especially accepting others even when they are not like us and are not from the same town or neighborhood as we are. Fun story the entire family will enjoy! Extremely well done!
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Flat
Stanley's
Worldwide Adventures Created by - Jeff Brown Written by - Sara Pennypacker Pictures by - Macky Pamintuan Ages - 7-10 |
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Favorite Features -
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includes interesting information on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police/Mounties as well as excellent information on Canada
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encourages interest in geography, imagination and reading
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strong emphasis on forgiving and helping
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Fun book for families to read together. Families could make their own flat "person" and mail to people they know around the world to see how many places it "visits" before they get it back and then write their own story! Extremely well done!
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Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel
Adapted by Perdita Finn Ages 9+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes eight full color photos from the movie
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strong messages on bullies, getting along, friendship and family
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While this is a truly silly story, it does have positive messages for families to talk about. Read as a family after seeing the movie and then talk about those important messages and how you could handle similar situations in real life. Very nicely done!
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How
to
Train Your Dragon Adapted by J E Bright Ages 9+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes drawings from the movie throughout the book
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story about friendship, family and making the right choices
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encourages imagination and doing the right thing
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I really like this book! Have your kids read it before they go see the movie and talk together about the important lessons in this story! Unique and fun story with excitement and danger . . . great fun for a family to enjoy together over a big bowl of popcorn! Tremendously well done!
Harvest House Publishers
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
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It's Bedtime for Little Monkeys Author/Illustrator - Susie Lee Jin Ages - 1-3 |
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Favorite Features -
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non toxic ink/coatings
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sturdy board book format
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bright colorful illustrations
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simple story tells a simple bedtime routine
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Nice book to make part of a family's bedtime routine. Very nicely done!
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My Favorite Farm Animal Friends Paintings by - Donald Zolan Written by - Jean Christen Ages - 1-3 |
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Favorite Features -
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non toxic ink/coatings
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sturdy board book format
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beautiful, colorful paintings of farm life and animals
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encourages animal recognition
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lovely paintings show children helping around the farm
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Excellent book to share with your child and talk about helping as well as identifying animals and the sounds they make! Beautiful and tremendously well done!
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A Special Fish for Jonah Author/Illustrator - Andy McGuire Ages 3-10 |
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Favorite Features -
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simple, short story
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fun illustrations in muted colors
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"before we begin" - excellent overview of the account of Jonah
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fun glossary identifies fish shown throughout book
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important message - "God has special plans for people, too!" even if you are a little "weird" and "special"
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I love this book! This is one of my absolutely "must have" books for children and families to enjoy together! Encourages great conversations about the special things God has planned for each of us to do and to always say "yes" to God's special plans! Tremendously well done! Give this book to every family you know with young children!
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I Love You, God Author/Illustrator - P.K. Hallinan Ages 3-7 |
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Favorite Features -
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colorful illustrations throughout
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verse at the end of the book
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simple text
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This book provides opportunities for families to talk about how to love God and show that love by loving others. Very nicely done.
Zondervan/Zonderkidz
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Read with Me Bible for Toddlers Author - Doris Wynbeek Rikkers Illustrator - Dennis Jones Ages 2-5 |
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Favorite Features -
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love the colorful, fun and engaging illustrations!
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I'm a huge fan of Dennis Jones' illustrations - particularly the way he illustrates "angels" - big, strong men with kind faces!
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24 Old and New Testament Bible stories with simple, words and short text - perfect for little ones
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I love this toddler's Bible . . . be sure to give it to all the toddlers in your life! Excellent first Bible with colorful illustrations to capture little one's attention and the core Bible stories to build a basis for a life of faith! Tremendously well done!
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The VeggieTales Bible Ages - 4-7 |
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Favorite Features -
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NIV for ease of understanding
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eight full-color condensed Veggie Bible stories - I like how they send the reader to the page/reference to find the REAL story
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book introductions with extra information - things to know, what it teaches and interesting chapters/stories/people to know
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remember this highlights 100 key verses
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Veggie Values - important lessons to learn from the Bible
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dictionary and concordance
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This is a great first "real" Bible for little ones! Extremely well done!
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The Aedyn Chronicles - Book One - Chosen Ones Author - Allister McGrath Illustrater - Voytek Nowakowski Ages - 9-12 |
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Favorite Features -
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Pen and ink drawings - excellent, add a lot to the story
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strong message to remember, talk with and trust the Lord of Hosts and to want to serve others more than wanting power, security and desire
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Interesting book along the lines of the Chronicles of Narnia. Excellent alternative for children bombarded with books like the Harry Potter books and the wide variety of books on vampires and nightmares, etc. It will be interesting to see what happens next in this series of books. Tremendously well done!
