No comments about Thanksgiving (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

1 comments about Fiestas: A Year of Latin-American Songs and Celebrations.

1. This book contains lots of catchy songs, which can be used for everyday. I've used a few of them in my classroom and the children seem to love it. There are a few action songs which really help me entertain kindergarteners. Along with this book.. you should get diez deditos and De Colores. They're written by the same author. The author also adds some notes about the songs, and cute little diagrams which help you with the actions. This is an excellent book to a kid's or a teacher's library.

3 comments about How to Bake an American Pie.

1. My kids love this book and are begging me to buy our own copy. (which is what I am doing) The reverend at the UU Church we attend read the story, and had the kids help act it out, as part of the service commemorating the 4th of July. It is a great book for remembering that we are all part of this land called America, and one that I will use in the classroom as well as here at home.



2. This is a clever rhyming book showing how all the wonderful things in America can be put together to make a pie. The illustratons are fabulous - a great work of art. When I finish reading this book, I have to stop and think about our country and how fortunate I am to live here. It would be good for all children to read to remind them in a fun way about their country.



3. What I like best about Karma Wilson is her ability to cobble together great silliness and wonderful rhymes. This is not a silly book. It's a great book, but in my opinion, the text goes over the heads of the little ones who would sit on your lap enjoying the pictures (which are great!) but the pictures may keep the older, more appropriate audience at bay because they find the book too "baby-ish." If you're looking for a read aloud book with patriotic themes, this is a great book. If you're looking for some Karma Wilson silliness, I'd suggest trying her book Whopper Cake instead.

No comments about Ant and Honey Bee: What a Pair!.

No comments about Chanukah (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

1 comments about Juneteenth Jamboree.

1. This book does a fantastic job of introducing American children to a significant moment in the history of Black Americans in this country. The illustrations are beautiful.

2 comments about A Surprise Party.

1. My daughter had The Surprise Party and A Day at the Beach since she was 6 months old. She's now 13 months old. We lost "A Day at the Beach" because we were carrying the two books everywhere with us. The Surprise Party is in shreds from reading it over and over again. She loves the story, point out the characters and different items in the book, like hats and baloons. Most of all she loves to yell "Surprise, Happy Birthday Isa!" and clap when it's time. Even though this book is always out and available she never lost interest in it. We always carry it with us in the car and at restaurants.



2. I love how the anticipation builds up in this book, as Dora and friends prepare for Isa's surprise party. My 16 month old daughter has had this book for about 4 months, and she continues to like it more and more. She gets excited when Isa comes through the door and then again when the pinata breaks. Like other Dora books, a little bit of spanish is incorporated, and Dora asks questions. There are so many objects for children to point out in all the Dora books.

3 comments about P. Bear's New Year's Party!.

1. This is a book to teach counting, but it is more than that, in just being plain fun! Numbers are displayed in quantities, in a clock, in words and their varieties. The characters are terrific!



2. P. Bear is having a New Year's Party and all his best-dressed friends are invited. Each time the clock strikes the hour, a corresponding group number of exotic animals shows up. By midnight, P. Bear has a full house and your child will have a grasp of the clock face.
   
   This sturdy board book is attractively illustrated and is great for years of childhood. The simple black, white and red illustrations are perfect for newborn eyes as parents first read aloud to their babies. The board book is handy for toddlers who love to be rough with their beloved stories. The sequential numbers teach counting to preschoolers and the reference to time with the appropriate clock-face on each page sets a great foundation for learning to tell time. Besides, the book is full of exotic animals. What child doesn't enjoy that?
   
   Armchair Interviews says: P. Bear's New Year's Party is an overall great book from birth to six and beyond.



3. In this book the polar bear invites various animals to his new year's party. It's a great math story for telling time to the hour.

1 comments about Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More.

1. I enjoy browsing through DAYS TO CELEBRATE. The book is divided into twelve "monthly" sections. Each month has a calendar full of facts both poetry and non-poetry related. Each month's flower, birth stone, and zodiac sign are given. Within each month's section there are four to seven poems related to that month in some way. (It might be a holiday of that month. It might be the poet's birthday month. It might be a historical event being celebrated, etc.) My favorite poem, by the way, is Arithmetic by Carl Sandberg.

No comments about Labor Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).