#MMBBR #ReviewRoundup @HolidayHouseBks #HolidayBookGiftGuide

I love Holiday House because there is something for everyone! In this post you will see I Like to Read books and Guided Reading Level books, as well picture books and a chapter books.  

These books are all 5 star reads and books I seriously loved!! 

Remember books make perfect gifts, so get shopping and fill those stockings with adventures thought the pages of books!

I Like to Read® Books:

NOTE:  About the Series

I Like to Read® books are picture books written and illustrated so that even the newest reader can enjoy a satisfying, quality literary experience. The books in the series are written at kindergarten and early first grade reading levels.

"These books deftly combine text and art to create a positive experience for new readers."—School Library Journal

"This series dares to make entertaining reads from short texts and familiar vocabulary"—Kirkus Reviews

"Each one makes the hard world of learning to read enough fun to encourage children at this critical developmental moment to try another one."—Vicky Smith, Children's and YA Editor at Kirkus Reviews

I Like My Car by Michael   Robertson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who would think that a few simple words could create such a wonderful story? I Like My Car captures your imagination through the the gorgeous illustrations and simple text as you get to meet drivers in the cars they love. It is such a delightful and wondrous adventure on the road, that is sure to entertain children and kids alike.

Can You Find Pup? by Vincent X Kirsch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love that this book has simple words, but a glorious and delightful story. Children will love reading this story and will be inspired to draw pictures themselves. I adored the seek and find portion of this book. It will keep kids engaged both by reading and by spotting the pictures.

Min Makes a Machine by Emily Arnold McCully
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great book about learning to be inventive and to do kind things for others, and possibly a lesson about not being so quick to give up and go home. With easy word and colorful pictures kids will have success in reading at their "just right" level.

BOARD BOOKS:

Boat Book by Gail Gibbons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reading this book will teach kids that different kinds of boats are moved differently. Some are moved by oars and paddles, while others are moved by wind or engines. This book is made of sturdy cardboard and will last through all the reading the kids will surly do because they will love this book so much!

Pirate Boy by Eve Bunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Danny imagines what would happen if he were to hop on a pirate ship and take off! When his mother explains that she would do anytime to find him including riding a dolphin, battling a sea monsters, and wielding a bottle of spray to do it! Kids will be caught up in the wonderful story and the stunning illustrations. This is a perfect book for kids to snuggle up with their mothers and go on a wild adventure! 

I Will Eat You! by Giada Francia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an amazing double-gatefold book that bring a fun touch to learning about the food chain in different habitats.
Kids will love reading "I will eat you," and see who will eat who. It is such a delight and kids will love opening the gate-fold pages and see the beautifully illustrated pages to reveal both predator and prey.
Amazing and so fun!!!

Noodleheads Find Something Fishy by Tedd Arnold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Who doesn't love Tedd Arnold. He is a master of his craft. He casts a spell over his young readers and creates children that love to read due to his hilarious stories and zany illustrations. Noodleheads Find Something Fishy is another zany installation in the Noodlehead series. A fun read, that both my son and I enjoyed immensely! My son and I have read this numerous times and have laughed each and every time. I always looking for books that keep my son's interest. He struggles with reading, so finding books that capture his attention and create a desire to read is any mother's dream come true. Noodehead Find Something Fishy is one of those books my son is happy to read/reread. These Noodleheads are a creative duo and this comic book style read is one both my son and I adored.

Picture Books:

D Is for Dragon Dance by Ying Chang Compestine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is an ABC of fun about so many cool things about the Chinese New Year. I adored learning so much about a holiday I know very little about! A is for Acrobats. B is for Balls. C is for Calligraphy. D is for Dragon Dance. The amazing illustrations capture the wonders of this very special holiday!

The ABCs of What I Can Be by Caitlin McDonagh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A great book that engages both the imagination, the alphabet and the concept of professions. We all have spent time dreaming of what we want to be when we grow up. I love the illustrations because they really capture the joy of so many jobs...jobs from A-Z. It captures how the imagination takes over and how fun adventures can take place within every job, as wild as our imagination. It was, for me, a fantastic way to expose kids to all types of jobs and a great way to expose kids to the ABC's. A delight!

Chapter Books:

News from Me, Lucy McGee by Mary Amato
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ Surprises are my favorite things in the whole world unless it's a bad surprise.

A fantastic book about realizing that you have been tricked and doing something about it! I adored Lucy so much. She was a spitfire, spunky and insightful. I adored how she worked her way through her struggles and setbacks. It has great themes that are perfect talking points for parents and their children. I cannot wait to see where else Lucy takes us in the next installment of this series.

Very Rich by Polly Horvath
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
#FirstLine ~ Rupert Brown came from a large family.

A wonderful story that has stayed with me for quite sometime. I cannot stop thinking about everything that happened within the pages. There are so many wonderful and heartwarming things that happened, so many lessons learned. I adored the characters, story and settings. It was original and sweet. A great holiday read!

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#MMBBR #Review #AnEndtoUpsideDownThinking : Why Your Assumptions about the Material World Are No Longer Scientifically True by @MarkGoberAuthor via #partner @TeszlerPR and @watersidepress who provided a #free #erviewcopy

Consciousness creates all material reality. Biological processes do not create consciousness. This conceptual breakthrough turns traditional scientific thinking upside down. In An End to Upside Down Thinking, Mark Gober traces his journey - he explores compelling scientific evidence from a diverse set of disciplines, ranging from psychic phenomena, to near-death experiences, to quantum physics. With cutting-edge thinkers like two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Ervin Laszlo, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences Dr. Dean Radin, and New York Times bestselling author Larry Dossey, MD supporting this thesis, this book will rock the scientific community and mainstream generalists interested in understanding the true nature of reality. Today's disarray around the globe can be linked, at its core, to a fundamental misunderstanding of our reality. This book aims to shift our collective outlook, reshaping our view of human potential and how we treat one another. The book's implications encourage much-needed revisions in science, technology, and medicine. General readers will find comfort in the implied worldview, which will impact their happiness and everyday decisions related to business, health and politics. Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time meets Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now.

An End to Upside Down Thinking: Why Your Assumptions about the Material World Are No Longer Scientifically True by Mark Gober

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am still making my way through this book. I do find it very interesting and thought provoking, but I tend to try to apply what I learn as I go, so I think it may take me sometime to really work my way through his book. If you ever wondered about consciousness this book is for you. I would love it if you read this book and have thoughts to please share them with me. I love to read comments from others and interact with others who have thoughts about these types of books.

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#MMBBR #Highlight #FirstLine #ThisIsKindofanEpicLoveStory by @kheryncasey via #partner @BalzerandBray who provided a #free #reviewcopy

#FirstLine 

 Riding a bike in the rain with a broken arm is never a good idea, but I'm the kind of guy who likes to make life more difficult, so that's exactly what I do.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A fresh, charming rom-com perfect for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Boy Meets Boy about Nathan Bird, who has sworn off happy endings but is sorely tested when his former best friend, Ollie, moves back to town.

Nathan Bird doesn’t believe in happy endings.

Although he’s the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate’s seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life.

Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel—but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James Hernández, his childhood best friend.After a painful mix-up when they were little, Nate finally has the chance to tell Ollie the truth about his feelings. But can Nate find the courage to pursue his own happily ever after?

#MMBBR #Review #BookTrailer #Giveaway #MrsClausTakestheReins by @suefliess via #partner #TwoLions @barbfisch at @blueslipper

It’s Christmas Eve morning, and Santa Claus is still in bed! He’s feeling stuffy and sneezy and slow as a yeti. Will Christmas have to be canceled? Not this year! Because Mrs. Claus is ready to take the reins in Santa’s place. With a plan in mind, Mrs. Claus assembles the crew, maps out the route, and preps the sleigh. Then, with a snap of the reins, she shoots off into the night. Delivering gifts all over the world without Santa’s magic won’t be easy, but Mrs. Claus proves she has some holiday sparkle of her own…

With lively rhyming text and adorable artwork, this delightful Christmas adventure will get kids into the holiday spirit. 

Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins by Sue Fliess

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet story about how Mrs. Claus saves Christmas. Santa is not feeling well, so without hesitation Mrs. Claus jumps in to help. She braves her way through some tough weather and some other obstacles, but at the end she has delivered all the toys and saves Christmas! It was so beautifully illustrated and the rhyming text makes for a perfect read aloud! A perfect Christmas book that both children and adults alike will love!

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Sue Fliess is the author of more than twenty children’s books, including Shoes for Me!, A Dress for Me!, and Books for Me!, all illustrated by Mike Laughead; and Let’s Build, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. Sue loves the holiday season and hopes she made it onto Santa’s “nice” list this year! She lives with her family and their dog in Northern Virginia. Learn more about Sue online at www.suefliess.com.

Mark Chambers is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than thirty-five children’s books. In 2013, Mark won the Sheffield Children’s Picture Book Award and was short-listed for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. In 2017, his artwork entitled “We Will Remember” was short-listed for the AOI World Illustration Awards. Mark lives and works in the United Kingdom and once spent Christmas in the Arctic Circle. Learn more about Mark online at  www.markachambers.com.

“The illustrations are bright and expressive…Young children will enjoy this exuberant adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This is a nice addition to holiday stories with a little dash of girl power.” —Youth Services Book Review

Watch Mrs. Claus make HERstory in the adorable trailer!

Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive a copy of 

MRS. CLAUS TAKES THE REINS 

(U.S. addresses).

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment about one of your 

favorite things about Christmas. 

Please leave your email address, 

so I can email you if you win!

#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #ImpostorsLure by @CarlaNeggers via #partner @HarlequinBooks who provided a #free #reviewcopy

Impostor's Lure
(Sharpe & Donovan #8)

Impostor's Lure by Carla Neggers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

#FirstLine ~ What's happening?

This book had great settings, with great characters with a story that kept me engaged from cover to cover. I have to admit that I have not read the other books in this series, but I don't think that affected my understanding of the story or the central characters. I loved the twists and turns and was definitely entertained.

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#MMBBR #Review #FirstLine #FEMINASTY by @gibblertron via #partner #GrandCentralPublishing who provided a #free #reviewcopy

 

Feminasty: The Complicated Woman's Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinking Herself to Death

Erin Gibson

HARDCOVER BOOK - 1455571865 / 9781455571864

ELECTRONIC BOOK - 1455571881 / 9781455571888

Available wherever books are sold September 04, 2018

Feminasty: The Complicated Woman's Guide to Surviving the Patriarchy Without Drinking Herself to Death by Erin Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was just what I needed. It was super funny and shed light on woman's issues in a way that was raw, honest and original! Gibson is not afraid to tell it how it is. She helps enlighten and empower woman at every opportunity! By bringing to light the ways woman are depicted, controlled and manipulated she is telling all of us that it is not OK. We can do better, be better. Gibson has found a way to really make you think about these issues and to take action! A must read for all!


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DESCRIPTION

A collection of hilarious personal essays and political commentary from the charming, feminist and wickedly funny creator and host of the "Throwing Shade" podcast and TV Land show. 

"Am I allowed to do this?

Most of my decisions in life have been preceded by this question.

Some of the rules women are expected to follow are obvious... DON'T: be loud/muscular/good at math... DO: be helpful/have babies/smile. Some are ambiguous and subjective."

Erin Gibson has a plan for women to make our future the one Beyonce already thinks we have. In --titled after her nickname on "Throwing Shade"--she has written a collection of make-you-laugh-until-you-cry essays that expose the hidden rules that make life as a woman harder and deconstructs them in a way that's bold and funny and provocative. Whether it's shaming women for having their periods, allowing them into STEM fields but never treating them like they truly belong, or dictating strict rules for how they should dress in every situation, Erin feels that oppression is both organized and chaotic, purposeful and unintentional. That doesn't make it impossible to dismantle, it just means we have to recognize and destroy the problems one by one. In FEMINASTY she will start the revolution.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emmy-nominated Southern loudmouth Erin Gibson is an expert at mixing social commentary, political satire, and vagina jokes into neat little comedy packages. Based in Los Angeles, she's one half of the Throwing Shade empire, which includes an award winning political absurdist comedy podcast, international live touring show, the Funny or Die web series and a TV Land late night show. She developed her social commentary chops as the host of "Modern Lady" and sharpened them writing and directing political sketches for Funny or Die, where you've seen her impersonate terrible women like Michele Bachmann, Megyn Kelly, Michelle Duggar and Ivanka Trump. She also created the long running Emmy-nominated "Gay of Thrones" starring her real-life hair stylist, Jonathan Van Ness. Feminasty is her debut book of comedic essays.

WEBSITE: https://www.feminasty.com

FACEBOOK: @gibblertron

TWITTER: @gibblertron

INSTAGRAM: @gibbletron

#MMBBR #Review #ElfPets via #partner @elfontheshelf #Christmas

Title: Elf Pets®: A Saint Bernard Tradition

Author: Chanda A. Bell

Genre: Children’s fiction

Publisher: CCA & B, LLC

ISBN: 978-0-9970920-2-8

Website link: https://www.elfontheshelf.com/saint-bernard-tradition

 

This beautifully illustrated, hardbound storybook shares a heartwarming story, which centers around Saint Bernard pups that Santa sends to families around the world to adopt. Together, kids and their Saint Bernard pups can help create Christmas magic by being kind and helping others.

Elf Pets A Saint Bernard Tradition by Chanda A. Bell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love traditions so much. I am also in love with Christmas. When these two things merge, it is magic! This delightful story with the accompanying stuffed animal makes doing acts of kindness and increasing Christmas cheer so much more fun. I adored the quality of the stuffed animal and the book was beautifully written and illustrated. The fact that there are also Saint Bernard pups in this book makes it so much more awesome. I cannot wait to read this book to my family, name our pup and start spreading more cheer! A must for the upcoming holiday and a tradition that will become a new favorite!

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#MMBBR #Reviews #IfdaVinciPaintedaDinosaur #MotherEarthsLullaby via #partner @The_BookishType who m #provided #free #reviewcopies

If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur: In this sequel to the tour de force children's art-history picture book If Picasso Painted a Snowman, Amy Newbold conveys nineteen artists' styles in a few deft words, while Greg Newbold's chameleon-like artistry shows us Edgar Degas' dinosaur ballerinas, Cassius Coolidge's dinosaurs playing Go Fish, Hokusai's dinosaurs surfing a giant wave, and dinosaurs smelling flowers in Mary Cassatt's garden; grazing in Grandma Moses' green valley; peeking around Diego Rivera's lilies; tiptoeing through Baishi's inky bamboo; and cavorting, stampeding, or hiding in canvases by Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Franz Marc, Harrison Begay, Alma Thomas, Aaron Douglas, Mark Rothko, Lois Mailou Jones, Marguerite Zorach, and Edvard Munch. And, of course, striking a Mona Lisa pose for Leonardo da Vinci.

As in If Picasso Painted a Snowman, our guide for this tour is an engaging hamster who is joined in the final pages by a tiny dino artist. Thumbnail biographies of the artists identify their iconic works, completing this tour of the creative imagination. Color throughout.

If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur 
by Amy Newbold

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing! I loved that it explored so many famous artists with one drawing theme, dinosaurs! It was so original, creative and inspiring! It was so fun looking at all the wonderful drawings, painting and all the styles. Like the book says, there is more than one way to draw a dinosaur. A great book to introduce children to art and to inspire young kids to draw and to be creative!

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Praise for If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur:

“Nineteen reimagined images present slightly altered versions of iconic paintings by famous artists, substituting dinosaurs as subjects. Readers are treated to a microraptor standing in for the Mona Lisa, avelociraptor as Frida Kahlo, and a looming giganotosaurus prompting Edvard Munch's The Scream. The illustrations don't just merely replace original elements, such as offering gamboling triceratops and stegosauruses as paper cutouts by Henri Matisse. They also strive to capture the overall emotion of each original...this picture book will encourage creativity, prompt giggling,and hopefully spark gleeful recognition.”

- Booklist

“Art history with a little smile.”

- Kirkus Reviews

“In the second of a playful, conceptual series (following If Picasso Painted a Snowman), the Newbolds, a married team, reimagine classic works of art with a prehistoric twist. A friendly hamster draws with a purple crayon: “If Leonardo Da Vinci drew a dinosaur, it might look like...” The result is a mash-up of da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and a pterodactyl. Plesiosaurs surf Katsushika Hokusai’s wave, and in Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, the figure on the bridge has a real reason to scream. The image replications capture each artist’s styles and the works’ recognizable features… [T]he creators deliver a memorable introduction to famed works of art."

- Publishers Weekly

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Mother Earth’s Lullaby: When Mother Earth bids goodnight, / the world is bathed in silver light. / She says, “Goodnight, my precious ones.” / Nature’s song has just begun.  

Mother Earth’s Lullaby is a gentle bedtime call to some of the world’s most endangered animals. Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition create a quiet moment for children burrowing down in their own beds for the night, imparting a sense that even the most endangered animals feel safe at this peaceful time of day. In successive spreads, a baby giant panda, yellow-footed rock wallaby, California condor, Ariel toucan, American red wolf, Sumatran tiger, polar bear, Javan rhinoceros, Vaquita dolphin, Northern spotted owl, Hawaiian goose, and Key deer are snuggled to sleep by attentive parents in their dens and nests under the moon and stars.

Brief descriptions of each animal appear in the back of the book. Color throughout.

Mother Earth's Lullaby: A Song for Endangered Animals 

by Terry Pierce

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is beautiful, both the story and the illustrations. It is also so important and very special. In the back of the book there are blurbs on each of the endangered animals featured in the book. It is important for adults and kids to know what dangers these majestic creature face and how we can help to ensure they do not go extinct. The songs rhyming nature makes it so perfect for a read aloud. It is such a darling book and one that kids will love and parents will love to read. Sheer perfection!

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#MMBBR #Review #RipleysBelieveItOrNot #100Years via #partner @Ripleys ‏#GreatGiftIdea

Ripley's Believe It Or Not!  100 Years by Ripley's Believe It or Not!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited to get this brand new edition of this amazing series. My kids were totally pumped too! There is so much to love about this book from the amazing cover, to the pictures, to the 100 years of the weird, unusual and odd stories that have captured our curiosities since 1918!. I love the ALL TRUE facts, features and outrageous stories. I find is completely fascinating. I have been looking over this book and reading all sorts of tidbits. I love that you can read it cover to cover or, like I am doing now, or bit by bit. There is something for everyone in this book! A must for your home library or for you school classroom!

USA - Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 100 Year $49.99

Canada: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 100 Year $60.95

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#MMBBR #GiftGuide #PaintSation #PhotoPearls via #partner @GoliathGamesUS who provide #samples for #review

I cannot wait to tell you all about the perfect arts and crafts for today's millennial mom! Paint-Sation and Photo Pearls are the ultimate tools for mom to encourage creativity, imaginative play, and tech-free time among her children. I cannot wait to hear about how you can all incorporate these products into your hectic and busy life.  Paint-Sation is every mother’s dream come true, paint that won’t spill or make a mess! Even if children turn the pod upside-down, the paint won’t drip out. Children simply touch their brush along the specially-designed bristles, and they’re ready to paint. REVIEW: This product is awesome! I love that kids can be creative and fun and keep the mess contained. I love that this a win for both kids and parents. I want my kids to be able to express themselves, but I don't want to spend a ton of time after they are done cleaning up after them. This will allow everyone to be happy and spend more time together having fun! Photo Pearls lets children transform their photos into unique works of art. It’s super easy – all children must do is upload their photo to the Photo Pearls app to “pearlize” their image. Then they can start assembling their piece of art with the key provided. A wonderful alternative to puzzles, Photo Pearls is a great stress reliever that will leave children with a show-stopping piece of art. Paint-Sation and Photo Pearls come with everything mom needs to set up her children up for hours of fun! REVIEW: This is so cool. I love that my kids are doing something that is both fun and meaningful. I adored the fact that it was relaxing for both the kids and myself. I think that photo pearls are a great way to take your favorite memories and create something unbelievably awesome! A must for the holiday season.