Children’s book

Ladybug Girl Bug Squad & At The Beach Children’s Books Giveaway

August 27, 2011 By Momstart 112 Comments

Ladybug Girl is the perfect little series for little girls like Zoe. They are geared to ages 3+ and are all about adventure, imagining and being a good friend. Both books are by By Jacky Davis and David Soman. I read both of them to Zoe and enjoyed reading them. They were quick and easy to read, made me smile and had some very good moral lessons in them.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Ladybug Girl is Lulu, a little girl who loves to dress up in her ladybug costume and use her imagination to turn every moment into an adventure.

LADYBUG GIRL AT THE BEACH:

Lulu loves the beach. Well, she’s never been there before, but she knows she will love it. And then she sees the ocean and it is big and loud and rough. That’s okay – Lulu wanted to build sand castles and fly her kite with Bingo anyway. But while they are building their sand castle, the sneaky ocean comes in and tries to steal Lulu’s favorite pail. This is a job for Ladybug Girl!

Lulu conquers her fear of the ocean when she remembers that Ladybug Girl can do anything, in this gorgeously illustrated companion to the popular series.

LADYBUG GIRL AND THE BUG SQUAD:

Lulu is so excited for the Bug Squad to come over for a playdate, and she has all kinds of things planned for them to do – right down to eating cupcakes. The cupcakes are special because each one has a candle that Lulu thinks everyone should blow out at exactly the same time.

But when things don’t go just the way Lulu planned, feelings are hurt and apologies are necessary. Sounds like a job for Ladybug Girl, who knows how to be brave and say she’s sorry, even when it isn’t easy.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winners: Michelle C and Kendra Gillilan.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

Bailey Children’s Book by Harry Bliss Giveaway

August 27, 2011 By Momstart 205 Comments

Scholastic new release BAILEY by New York Times bestselling author Harry Bliss is a cute little story about a dog named Bailey that goes to school. It’s a great story to get children laughing and relaxed about going back to school. For ages 4 – 8 Bailey is a dog who surprises and charms his fellow human classmates with his irrepressible antics. We laughed and smiled as we read the book together.

Follow Bailey the dog as he gets ready and goes to school. Should he wear the red or blue collar? Both are so fashionable! Will he be late? That squirrel is a distraction! And what about Bailey’s homework? Would you believe he ate it? That is what dogs do, after all.

In this funny new book from the best selling children’s illustrator Harry Bliss, school proves to be an unexpected place for Bailey to do all sorts of things he loves: reading, fetching, painting, digging, singing — and making friends!

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winners: McKim and Anastasia.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Bailey, Book Giveaway, Children's book, giveaway, scholastic

Astro The Steller Sea Lion By Jeanne Walker Harvey illustrated by Shennen Bersani

June 27, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

Astro is a Steller Sea Lion who lost his momma when he was only a few days old. His luck of being found by volunteers from the Sausalito Marine Mammal Center makes him a ‘people sea lion’ forever. At 10 month of age, he was attempted to be released back into the wild over and over just to return to the same place, the Marine Mammal Center every time. After failed attempts, Astro’s caretakers understand that this friendly sea lion has been around people for his whole life and living in the wild will never be a happy option for him. Steller sea lions are a threatened species so through Astro, scientist were given the opportunity to learn about these unique animals and prepare him for his final home, to become a beloved character of the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

Astro the Steller Sea Lion is a lovely and educational read. I love new stories, especially stories that teach us, raise questions and intrigue us in many ways. My daughter is five now and her understanding of complex concepts has been developing rapidly. What does it mean to be an endangered species? How does Astro feel about going back to the wild? Why is this story so touching on many levels? At a young age, children get so attached to emotions and while this story provides many avenues for learning, Astro’s happiness is what touched my children the most. For older children, this book is just loaded with useful information about sea lions, what it takes to care for them, how to train them and the moral responsibilities that we have as humans to protect and care for animals. The book is beautifully illustrated with very realistic pictures, capturing emotions perfectly and fully embracing diversity.

Being a teacher, I was itching to design a lesson plan around this book …. Just to find out that the Sylvan Dell Publishing Company had 30 pages worth of online resources to put this book into the spotlight of any classroom. I might just have to do it next year …. I am so sure it will be an amazing touch to our science curriculum.

First time author, Jeanne Walker Harvey, perfectly captures her readers with this book with the help of her award-winning illustrator, Shenne Bersani.

Sample received to facilitate this review.

About Orshi:

Orshi is a teacher at UCIC where she works daily with children. She shows a great love for children as she has three of her own. She also loves Facebook, gardening and baking. She was born and grew up in Hungary and now lives across the street.

Filed Under: book review, review Tagged With: Astro The Steller Sea Lion, book review, Children's book, review, Sylvan Dell Publishing Company

Children’s Book Review: My Dad My Hero By Ethan Long

June 5, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

My FAVORITE Father’s Day gifts are ones my children and husband can use together. I’ve bought books in the past for my husband to share with our children. A book is a great gift for both parties, and is usually a surprise for both parties as daddy doesn’t know, and as younger children the kids would forget we purchased the book together (so my 4YO now remembers but my 22MO forgets). On of this year’s gifts is also a book, My Dad, My Hero by Ethan Long.

This is a super cute book about dad not being a super hero, but still being his child’s hero. The pictures depict the dad not being able to do superhero stunts, but he can and does spend time with his child and that is super!

Ethan Long’s art in My Dad, My Hero is dot-art like; bringing a very unique look to this new book. Eathan Long is known for his animations Farm Force and ZeFronk. Farm Force‘s pilot won the Nextoons: 2005 Nicktoons Film Festival Viewer’s Choice Award and is currently in development with Porchlight Entertainment. ZeFronk was one of my 4YO’s favorite Playhouse Disney shorts, which is a kid’s cooking show starring a wiener dog.

You can get your own My Dad, My Hero book by Ethan Long just in time for Father’s Day for only $12.99 or less.

You can find Sourcebooks on their website. To keep up with recent releases, Like Sourebooks on Facebook and track them on Twitter @Sourcebooks.

Other Sourcebooks reviewed by Mom Start include: Rocket Town by Bob Logan, Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon, and Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Filed Under: review, Summer Tagged With: Children's book, My Dad My Hero, Sourcebooks

LaRue Across America Book Review and Giveaway

April 19, 2011 By Momstart 97 Comments

Spring Break passed and now Summer is on it’s way bringing thoughts of traveling. I love to just get in the car and drive long distances. I think I’m the only one in the family that likes it, most of my family would just prefer picking a destination and getting on an air plane. Well Ike, Mrs. LaRue’s dog would prefer to take his vacation on a boat in LaRue Across America: Postcards From the Vacation (LaRue Books) . Ike and Mrs LaRue had made plans to take a cruise when her neighbor Mrs Hibbins falls ill. Then Mrs. LaRue offers to take care of Mrs. Hibbins cats while she’s in the hospital but the captain of the boat will not allow cats on his boat so, they decide to take their vacation across the U.S. by car. It’s a ROAD TRIP. Ike is devestated and quickly starts writing letters and sending them at every stop begging Mrs. Hibbins to rectify the situation.

Join award-winner Mark Teague on this romping road trip across America. Readers can follow along on the maps of the U.S. that span the endpapers. Teague drives us to the story’s satisfying conclusion, and we are left with one profound question: Can cats and dogs really be friends?

As soon as we got this book Zoe got her dad to read it, now he looked at the pages and said this may take us a few days to read, but as he got to reading it he realized that it was an easy read for the kids to sit through. Both of them enjoyed it and I even heard daddy laughing as he read it. LaRue Across America is great for kids and adults alike.

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

Enter To Win:

Two (2) winners from your site receive:

Copies of LaRue Across America
And a LaRue branded backpack

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me where you want to go on vacation

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This giveaway ends May 9th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: book review, Children's book, giveaway, LaRue, LaRue Across America

Rocket Town By Bob Logan Children’s Book Review

April 13, 2011 By Momstart Leave a Comment

We love to read. My sons both enjoy books, though my older son loves to read more than my younger son. Rocket Town by Bob Logan showing up on our doorstep was a hit for both of my boys. My youngest (20MO) needs board books and he is captivated by the pictures for the color contrasts; my oldest (4YO) just loves to read and is captivated by the pictures because THEY’RE ROCKETS!

In addition to early reading, Rocket Town offers education in opposites and numbers. They compare big and small, up and down, fast and slow, and count down for BLAST OFF! In fact, with a couple of readings to my 4YO he can now read it to my 20MO who is demanding to have Rocket Town read to him several times … in a row!

So now with my 4YO armed, he can “read” (okay, actually recall) the entire book when mommy is not available. But I really like Rocket Town too. I have looked through the book on my own several times, not just because I have to review it, but because I want take in the colors and pictures myself. Bob Logan has worked as a story artist on feature animations such as Madagascar, Open Season, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Look at the eye-catching pictures of Bob Logan’s Rocket Town:

I would highly recommend Rocket Town as a baby shower gift, birthday present, new reading selection for you library, etc. The book follows an astronaut and his puppy pal in their yellow pick-up truck rocket. (Can you spy them in the picture above?) Your kids will love this book!

Rocket Town is a new board book and was just released to the public this month! This new board book cost $7.99 (USD) and is offered through Sourcebooks, the publisher, and other retailers. Sourcebooks and Bob Logan also offer The Sea of Bath if you’re interested in other books from the duo.

You can find Sourcebooks on Facebook and Twitter @Sourcebooks to stay up-to-date on new Sourcebooks releases and events.

About Summer:

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Bob Logan, book review, Children's book, Rocket Town, Sourcebooks

Horrid Henry Rocks Book Review

April 6, 2011 By Momstart Leave a Comment

Horrid Henry is the main character in a collection of books each containing 4 stories each of boyhood mischief. The newest addition is Horrid Henry Rocks . In Horrid Henry Rocks, Henry is at it again – pestering his brother Perfect Peter, annoying his neighbor Moody Margaret, clowning in Miss Battle-Axe’s class, and being just plain horrid in the community.

The draw to Horrid Henry Rocks is definitely NOT for the adults. The Horrid Henry collection was designed for ages 7-10 (about 1^st-5^th grade). These anticay tales will captivate your child if they like books such as Captain Underpants or Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Horrid Henry Rocks is an early chapter book with a comic book feel offering mischievous, immature humor, and is designed for younger readers who can joke and understand sarcastic, over-dramatized stories. For these reasons, even reluctant readers will enjoy Horrid Henry Rocks. All readers will appreciate these short chapters (about 25 pages each) as read aloud as well as for some silent reading as if offers easy break points.

“What is brilliant about the books I that Henry never does anything that is subversive. She [author, Francesca Simon] creates an aura of supreme naughtiness (of which children are in awe) but points out that he operates within a safe and secure world … eminently readable books.” – Emily Turner, Angels and Urchins

In some ways I agree that any book that gets kids reading is a good book. However, as a parent and educator (I have my Master of Arts in Teaching for K-8, and am a Washington State certified teacher) I do take notes and cringe at lines such as the lyrics from Henry’s favorite band, The Killer Boy Rats, written into the text:

“Granny on her crutches, Push her off her cair, Shove Shove Shove Shove, Shove her down the stairs.”

“Boils on your fat face, Boils make you dumb, Chop Chop Chop ‘em off, Stick ‘em on your bum!”

“I’m dead, you’re dead, we’re dead. Get over it. Dead is great, dead’s where it’ at ‘cause…”

Surely egregious but do I want my kids reading it? I’m unsure. I call into question the nature of our society’s lack of shivery, common courteous’, and the ability for young ones to express themselves in proper rhetoric. Does a book such as this send messages to our children that his behavior is okay as long as you’re over the top and doing it all for comedy’s sake?

I believe these are thoughts other parents might have too. In my own life these questions could be asked as well. I love mystery books, but I’m nowhere close to a detective or evil mastermind. I enjoy romantic-comedy movies but I don’t believe all romances end happily and I certainly don’t expect a “Prince Charming” out of my husband. So a juvenile fiction early chapter book about a horrid boy and his antics can also just be laugh out loud, lovably bad, and just plain enjoyment reading. You should decide if this book is the right fit for your children and family, you can read a sample using Amazon’s “Look Inside”.

Horrid Henry is currently the #1 chapter book series in the UK. He is worldwide with over 15 million copies sold in 27 countries and counting. Author Francesca Simon has written over forty-five books and won the Children’s Book of the Year in 2008 at the Galaxy British Book Awards for Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman (an honor shared with the likes of J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, and Eoin Colfer). Illustrator Tony Ross’s line art is found throughout the Horrid Henry series. Ross has also illustrated the Sir Gadabout stories and other picture books (including his own works) which are sold all around the world.

Other Horrid Henry Books include:
Horrid Henry
Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb
Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy
Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine
Horrid Henry and the Soccer Field
Horrid Henry and the Mummy’s Curse
Horrid Henry and the Scary Sitter
Horrid Henry’s Christmas
Horrid Henry’s Underpants
Horrid Henry’s Joke Book

You can find Horrid Henry Rocks on book shelves and internet stores now for only $4.99 (USD)!

You can find more Horrid Henry stuff at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. You can learn more about the publishing of Sourcebooks, Inc. on their site, Like Sourcebooks on Facebook, and track them on Twitter @Sourcebooks Team.

You can also Like Horrid Henry on Facebook.

About Summer:

Filed Under: review Tagged With: book review, Children's book, Horrid Henry, Horrid Henry Rocks, review

Pottery Barn Celebrates The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day #Giveaway

March 16, 2011 By Momstart 221 Comments

Remember last week when I gave you all the details for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day? Well just in case you forgot all about it, let me refresh your memory. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day is This Sunday! This Sunday, March 20 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., all Pottery Barn Kids stores will be hosting a series of fun free activities for your family, which will include story time, my kids love story time and ,a reading of the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle! Read about his adventure into becoming a butterfly. There is a Pottery Barn Kids located in Bellevue Square Mall in Downtown Bellevue for one. I think there is one in University Village too, but you should check to find a local Pottery Barn Kids for your area to be sure!

Now, in honor of such a fun and exciting day we’re hosting a very fun giveaway.

Enter to Win:

Copy of the Very Hungry Caterpillar book
Very Hungry Caterpillar bath mitt
Very Hungry Caterpillar bubble set

To Enter:

Tell me if you know where the closest Pottery Barn Kids is to you!

Extra Entries:

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This giveaway ends March 29th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Book, Children's book, Eric Carle, Pottery Barn Kids, The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Book Review: We Love the book, My Name is Not Alexander

March 15, 2011 By Momstart 3 Comments

I have a 4 year old son and we were both captivated by this book. I love, Love, LOVED My Name is NOT Alexander!!! This book is one of the best new books I’ve read in a long time. We read a lot of children’s books … daily … and the combination of excellent writing from Jennifer Fosberry and superior artistry from Mike Litwin will automatically draw readers into the book. I feel My Name is NOT Alexander embodies the creativity and fickle-minded characteristic of children.

My Name Is Not Alexander is all about a boy exploring great men in history. When he wakes up in the morning he isn’t himself, Alexander; he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Throughout his day Alexander also becomes Thomas Edison, Chief Joseph, Fred Astaire, Jackie Robinson, and his father before becoming himself again to fall asleep that night. Clever text and pictorial context clues give your child hints as to who each historical figure was and what part they played in America’s history.

My Name is NOT Alexander continues beyond the story with a brief biographical excerpt on each featured man. I had a fun time reading each piece and helping my son to relate to the featured men, such as Teddy Roosevelt on his horse outside the Natural History Museum in New York City (where we took a vacation this summer) and a mini guessing game of how something Thomas Edison invented is in his room RIGHT NOW.

This is a great book for young children. I’d HIGHLY recommend this as a present for birthdays, or end of year present for your teacher/classroom. Your child will love this book if they like A Mouse Told His Mother. Though I think this book is not just for boys, the original idea by author Jennifer Fosberry was presented in a girl version called My Name Is NOT Isabella. My sons love to read all sorts of books and I’d love to give My Name Is Not Isabella: Just How Big Can a Little Girl Dream? a go with them too (especially the 4YO).

Summer received a copy of this book to facilitate this review.

About Summer:

Filed Under: review, Summer Tagged With: book review, Children's book, Jennifer Fosberry, Mike Litwin, My Name is not Alexander, review

Book Review: Mr. Bo Finds a New Home and a New Name Giveaway

March 11, 2011 By Momstart 57 Comments

My sons and I just read a new book, MR. Bo: Finds a New Home and a New Name. This book is told from the perspective of a stray cat named Linus who is in a Humane Society shelter waiting to be adopted. The cat is eventually adopted by the author Timothy Battle and renamed Mr. Bo.

My sons love to read books. However for the ages of my children – 18 months and 4 years old –they became very antsy as the book was read aloud to them. The book is designed for readers age 4-8, so reading it to the 18 month old was worthless, he was out; though I did catch him later looking at the illustrations. Both sons loved looking at the cat and my young 4 YO did want to know if he found a home. However, reading the book to him was like reading it to a feral kitten as he strayed too much as I attempted to get to the end of the book for the conclusion; this made the book hard to stay into and focused upon. I think some extra patients and maturity might help his interest in level of this book and I would classify it as an early elementary age book (K-3^rd grades).

One of the things that bugged me most about this book was that in the title they tell you Mr. Bo gets a new name, and in the beginning of the book the cat’s name is Linus. You know the name will change to Mr. Bo. The book constantly reminds the reader that Linus has a name that fits him, and then he gets renamed Mr. Bo, but then the cat discloses this is not his true name either. It bugs me that this “issue” is unresolved.

My husband liked the book and thought it was great for children to see what pet adoption is all about. I agree; for me, MR. Bo: Finds a New Home and a New Name seems like a good fit for homes with adopted pets, pets headed to a shelter as the family can no long keep their pet, for children learning about pets or adoption, or children who maybe spending time volunteering in a shelter type of setting. This book can help children understand the process of adoption and what happens inside a shelter.

Mr. Bo and author Tim Battle gave me an autographed copy of this book in order to write my honest review. They have also offered a signed copy to one of our readers, so you can win a copy for yourself and tell us all what you think of the book. The neat and unique thing about this book is you not only get your paperback copy, but you also receive an e-Live link and special code to download the audio version.

You can keep up with Mr. Bo on Twitter @mrbobooks and Like his page on Facebook. You can find author Tim Battle and Mr. Bo on their book’s website [] as well; you can even purchase a signed copy there. You can also purchase MR. Bo: Finds a New Home and a New Name on Amazon or at your local book store.

Enter to Win:
an autographed copy of the book MR. Bo Finds a New Home and a New Name to add to your at-home library

To Enter:
Tell us from the front cover picture (above) what you or your child would’ve named Linus/Mr. Bo.

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Book Review Giveaway: Mr. Bo Finds a New Home and a New Name http://momstart.com/2011/03/book-review-mr-bo-finds-a-new-home-and-a-new-name-giveaway/

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This giveaway ends March 28th. I received samples to facilitate this review. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Filed Under: giveaway, review, Summer Tagged With: book review, Children's book, Finds a New Home and a New Name, giveaway, Mr. Bo