This past week was the blog tour for My Second Year of Kindergarten. This book has been a project that I have been working on with Mascot Books for about 2 years and is close to my heart in many ways. This book is intended to be an educational tool for parents and educators about […]
How Jottings Can Help your Child plus an Author Interview
I recently read an article in The Reading Teacher titled, Jottings: An Approach to Guided Reading in the Elementary Classroom (March/April 2018) written by Jennifer A Knight and Hilary A Justesen that immediately caught my eye. As a parent and a speech language pathologist, I am very interested in discovering new ways to encourage critical thinking for […]
Natsumi!
When I first received Natsumi! in the mail from Penguin, I was immediately drawn the personality of the main character, Natsumi. Natsumi! written by Susan Lendroth and illustrated by Priscilla Burris is a story about a young girl named Natsumi who struggles with being different and doing everything in her own “big way”. Natsumi isn’t […]
This is Not The Abby Show
Do you have a child with ADHD? Are you an educator and want to help your students understand different types of learners and disabilities? Is your child an “out of the box” thinker? As an “out of the box” mom, I appreciate and enjoy any books that celebrates children’s differences and empowers them to be […]
3 Top Books to Read Aloud to an Older Child (that are also movies!)
Happy New Year to my readers! I wanted to start off the new year with some recommendations of wonderful books to read aloud to your older child. All of the books that I am reviewing below are also movies so the experience of reading the book together and watching the movie can be a multi […]
So B. It
Are you looking for a remarkable book to read with your older child? Check out So B. It! When I was at the library the other day with my daughter, I chose one of the most wonderful books right off the shelf. I wanted to share this book titled So B. It by Sarah Weeks […]
I’m Scared
I’m Scared by Jennifer L Holm and Matthew Holm is the newest book in the inventive series My First Comics. Chilly is a scared and fearful snowflake. He is scared of many things including the dark and sometimes he is scared for no reason at all! One day he sees Tizzy Tornado and Grumpy Cloud […]
The Link Between Physical Activity and Better Academic Performance
Recently, I read an article in the newspaper that stated children are better at using technology then tying their shoes. It also said that children know how to use computer games better than riding bikes. Reading these statements, I can easily find them sad, but true. Having children growing up in this world of technology […]
Happy Dreamer
Do you have a child that is a dreamer? Are you a dreamer yourself? I recently attended an event with Peter Reynolds at the Jacob Burns Center. He read some of his children’s books including The Dot, Ish and then read his most recent book, Happy Dreamer. Happy Dreamer brought me to tears because it describes a […]
Nutrition Tips for Children with Special Needs
I am happy to present this guest post by Jenny Wise about nutrition tips for children with special needs. Jenny is a mother and blogger who educates her four children at home. Jenny has a child with special needs and shares tips for homeschooling and special needs on her website, Special Home Educator. To contact […]
Jack’s Worry
Jack’s Worry by Sam Zuppardi is an exceptional picture book about overcoming short-term anxiety and worry. A couple of weeks ago, I was in a waiting room and saw this book lying on the table. I immediately picked it up and read it to my son and instantly loved it. It was a simple story […]
What’s The Big Deal About First Ladies?
In honor of Women’s History Month, I am proud to review the book, What’s The Big Deal About First Ladies? written by Ruby Shamir and illustrated by Matt Faulkner. This book is packed with facts about the first ladies of our nation dating all the way back to our first lady, Martha Washington. What’s The Big Deal […]
Ed Roberts Father of Disability Rights
Ed Roberts: Father of Disability Rights written by Diana Pastora Carson and illustrated by Patrick Wm. Connally tells the inspirational story of Ed Roberts, the man who changed the life of people with disabilities. As a young child, Ed was a typical child that could run and play with all of the other children. He loved organizing […]
Get Ready for Jetty
Get Ready for Jetty written by Jeanne Kraus and illustrated by Sandra Kimbell is a book written in a diary form about a girl named Jetty. Jetty is in 4th grade and has been recently diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout the book she discusses in the first person perspective, her thoughts and feelings about her diagnosis of ADHD and […]
I Don’t Want To Be Big
I Don’t Want To Be Big by Dev Petty illustrated by Mike Boldt is an engaging children’s book about a frog that doesn’t want to grow up! The book begins with a frog refusing to eat his dinner because he doesn’t want to grow big. The story takes you through the dialogue between the frog and […]
City Block
City Block written by Christopher Fanceschelli illustrated by Peskimo is an engaging, colorful and interesting book ideal for toddlers and preschool children. The book contains simple language with engaging pictures of various actions that are occurring in a city. The book is also not a standard “lift the flap” type of book. Each page is unique in […]
If You’re So Smart, How Come You Can’t Spell Mississippi?
Do you want to educate your child about Dyslexia? Whether your child has a learning disability or not, this book titled, If You’re So Smart, How Come You Can’t Spell Mississippi? is an excellent book to help children understand what Dyslexia is and how it can affect a child’s reading and writing abilities. As an […]
What Do You Do With a Problem?
What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada is an inspiring book about confronting problems in a child’s life. I find Kobi’s books to be not only inspiring and beautifully illustrated, but so thoughtful in the way that she is able to present complex information (such as having a problem) so that children can […]
Douglas, You Need Glasses and Erik the Red Sees Green
Does your child wear glasses? Is your child colorblind? I wanted to review these two children’s books, Douglas, You Need Glasses and Erik the Red Sees Green this week to help give parents a resource about different vision issues. For many children, getting glasses can be exciting. For others, the process of wearing glasses can […]
Autism and the Extended Family
How does Autism affect an extended family? Many books and articles don’t directly address the issues surrounding a disability and how it affects the child and their extended family. Autism and the Extended Family written by Raun D. Melmed, MD and Maria Bird-West Wheeler is a helpful guide for those outside the immediate family who […]
Terrific Teddy’s Focus Friend
Do you have a child with ADHD? Does your child fidget constantly? If so, you may want to consider a focus friend! Terrific Teddy’s Focus Friend is about a young boy named Teddy who struggles to stay attentive to many tasks including schoolwork. Like many children with ADHD, Teddy states “I like running and swimming and […]
Stepping Stories..a review plus tips!
Do you want to introduce more stories at mealtime that relate directly to your child? Make your child the star of the book! I was contacted by Stepping Stories a couple of weeks ago regarding their personalized books. When I visited their website, I was able to easily create a personalized book for both of my children […]
You Are a Social Detective Beginner App
Does your child have difficulties with social skills and being socially appropriate? I am a big fan of Michelle Garcia, Social Thinking materials and the therapeutic strategy of video modeling. This app titled You Are a Social Detective Beginner App has 3 different levels with tons of videos and various questions related to the videos. The app […]
Dysgraphia and a Children’s Book Review
Does your child struggle with their writing skills? Do you have a child diagnosed with dysgraphia? According to the website Understand for Learning and Attention Issues, Dysgraphia is a condition that causes trouble with written expression. The term comes from the Greek words dys (“impaired”) and graphia (“making letter forms by hand”). Dysgraphia is a brain-based […]