In celebration of the publication, The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress, I thought why not share good children's books for geography and exploration enthusiasts -- some fiction, some historical fiction, and some nonfiction -- for ages 6 to 12. The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress releases April 25, 2017. It's an adventure and mystery story about a hidden … [Read more...]
Summer Reading: New Books for 8- to 9-Year-Olds
I'm recommending these new books for your 8- to 9-year-olds' summer reading. The chapter books contain engaging stories and awesome illustrations. All titles are great choices to keep your kids reading daily. See what fits for your child's interests. For even more fun summer book ideas, visit: 1st Grade Summer Reading List (age 6 – 7) 2nd Grade Summer Reading List (age 7 – 8) 3rd Grade … [Read more...]
Discover New Fantasy Books for Your Kids
If your kids like to read fantasy books, you'll want to check out these new titles from the first part of 2017! They're filled with magic, adventure, and characters to love. Discover New Fantasy Books for Your Kids Third Grade Mermaid by Peter Raymundo (ages 7 - 9) Even mermaids have spelling tests and swim team. Cora must get her spelling grade up or she's off the team. But that's … [Read more...]
Vivid Historical Fiction Choices for Kids
As readers, we develop a deeper understanding of history when we read historical fiction books with compelling characters, interesting settings, and rewarding adventures. These new book choices do just that --vividly show a time in history. Enjoy! Vivid Historical Fiction Choices for Kids The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats (middle grade ages 8 - 12) Jane's … [Read more...]
8 Fascinating STEM Picture Books
STEM picture books introduce young children to science, technology, engineering, and math. Not only that, some of these picture books actually teach the STEM concepts which is big fun within a story. 8 Fascinating STEM Picture Books I Lost My Sock! A Matching Mystery by P.J. Roberts, illustrated by Elio Help Fox and Ox find Fox's missing sock. Fox tries to describe his sock exactly -- it's … [Read more...]
Picture Books for Vehicle Loving Kids
Do you have a vehicle loving kid who is obsessed with trucks, cars, motorcycles, and construction vehicles? If so, these books are must-reads, maybe even must-owns. Picture Books for Vehicle Loving Kids Old Tracks, New Tricks by Jessica Petersen Snubbed by the trains, the new wooden train tracks decide they'll show the other tracks fun ways to play -- like hide and go track, … [Read more...]
Goofy Jake the Fake for Fans of Wimpy Kid
If you like goofy or are goofy, Jake the Fake Keeps it Real might be your next funny book favorite. It's a middle grade chapter book by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach with cartoon illustrations by Keith Knight based on Robinson's own experience in a similar situation. Goofy Jake the Fake for Fans of Wimpy Kid Jake's older sister already attends the magnet Music and Art Academy. That's why … [Read more...]
10 Top Learning Toys for Kids (Including Diverse Learners)
It's always win-win when you discover FUN learning toys for your kids, right? Like the toys from Learning Resources® that appeal to and engage with all children as well as the diverse group of learners on the autism spectrum. These toys and products are wonderfully open-ended, marvelously educational, and very long-lasting. See if you agree about these fantastic learning toy choices for … [Read more...]
New Summer Brain Quest Workbooks + Giveaway
Keep learning and prevent any summer slide with Brain Quest's latest super fun, game-like workbooks called SUMMER BRAIN QUEST for children kindergarten to 6th grade. Many students lose around two months of grade level equivalency in math, and many also lose reading achievement, over the summer. Yikes, right!? New Summer Brain Quest Workbooks That's where Summer Brain Quest workbooks can … [Read more...]
11 Heartfelt Coming of Age Books
Coming of age books often deal with pain, healing, and newly learned wisdom. Not all do. Some coming of age stories are about finding meaning within the angst of growing up. The definition I like best from Cambridge Dictionary says that coming of age is "the time when someone matures emotionally, or in some other way." 2017's gifted us with a plethora of moving coming of age middle … [Read more...]
Picture Books About Being True to Yourself
It's important to read picture books about being true to yourself so that as our kids grow, they feel comfortable being themselves. We want them to both know themselves as well as be proud of who they are. Seeing this in picture books can prompt that discussion and remind us to encourage our kids. Who they are is perfect and lovable. Author and illustrator, Eric Wight, tells his kids, … [Read more...]
Picture Books You Can Use for Writing Prompts
Writing teachers and homeschoolers! Use a picture book as writing prompts to inspire creative writing. Use snippets of the story, the illustrations, the style, or the format and see what wonderful stories emerge. Writing prompt books are different from mentor texts, whose writing is so outstanding or interesting, that you want your students to emulate it for improvement. Instead, these can … [Read more...]