No comments about Sori's Harvest Moon Day : A Story of Korea.

No comments about Birthdays Around the World.

No comments about Happy Birthday (P.K. Hallinan Board Books).

No comments about Picnic!: A Day in the Park (Ready-to-Read. Pre-Level 1).

1 comments about Tonight Is Carnaval (A Puffin Unicorn).

1. This book is chock full of beautiful pictures of arpilleras. It has quite a range of the aplique-quilts and they all tell a story. It is also pretty wordy for kids. I used it to introduce arpilleras but paraphrased the text as to not lose the kids interest. It is the best arpillera resource I have found for kids.

No comments about Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

1 comments about Merry Fairy Holidays: Three Enchanted Christmas Stories (Flower Fairies Friends).

1. "Christmas comes but once a year, and with it brings..." a collection of wintry fairy stories that will have the whole family gathering around the Christmas tree for a heaping dose of Christmas spirit.
   
   HOLLY'S CHRISTMAS RIDDLE - Out of all of the Flower Fairies in the Flower Fairies Garden, there is no one who loves Christmas as much as young Holly. Holly is known for his talented hand when it comes to decorating the Fairy Grotto for the annual Christmas Eve celebration, when Flower Fairies of all different shapes and sizes join together to sing carols, and indulge in tasty treats. Of course, as always, Holly has gotten caught up in the Christmas spirit, and forgotten to decorate the Fairy Grotto until the last minute. Luckily, he has many friends who can assist him in getting the job done in no time. But when someone vandalizes the Fairy Grotto after all of Holly's hard work, he doesn't know what to do. Decorations have been destroyed, and Holly is convinced that Christmas will be ruined. Unless he catches the culprits, of course. But no one has seen who is behind the vandalism, the only trace of them is merry laughter, as they do their dirty work. Holly knows there must be some way to catch the fairies behind this, but if he doesn't find it soon, there may not be any Christmas Eve festivities this year. 4 stars.
   
   THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DISCOVERY - If there is one thing that the Christmas Tree Fairy is devoted to, it is taking care of all of the lovely trees in the woodland of the Flower Fairies Garden. Each and every year, the Christmas Tree Fairy works to decorate the woodlands, and hold an enormous holiday party for the Wild Fairies underneath the boughs of a luxurious fir tree. While the Christmas Tree Fairy is honored to be delegated this exciting job, she can't help but feel pressured to create the perfect holiday for everyone. But the pressure is worth it, when she sees the happiness that all of the Wild Fairies experience each and every year. This year, however, the Christmas Tree Fairy has been struck with an unusual sadness. When her good friend, Burdock, informs her that the humans living close by have taken one of her beloved fir trees into their home, and begun decorating it, she can't understand. She believes that her fir tree is in danger, and must be rescued; so she decides to go where no fairy from the Flower Fairy Garden has ever gone...inside the humans home. In her mind, it is the only way to ensure that the fir tree is safe from harm, and being treated kindly. But her mission might just leave the Wild Fairies out in the cold this Christmas, with no celebration. Unless, of course, the Christmas Tree Fairy can convince her friends to help her plan the greatest holiday party ever. 4 stars.
   
   SNOWDROP'S WINTER WONDERLAND - Unlike the other fairies in the Flower Fairyland, Snowdrop spends much of her time sleeping. Hibernating until her brave little plants find the courage to push their way through the hard ground, and display their beauty for everyone in Flower Fairyland. While her constant slumber means that she is always well-rested, however, Snowdrop can't help but feel as if she is missing out on something, as her sleep cuts into the time she can spend with her friends - Box Tree and Winter Jasmine - and prevents her from experiencing Christmas. That's right, Snowdrop has never stayed awake long enough to attend the Christmas celebrations, or taste the yummy holiday treats prepared by the other Flower Fairies. But Snowdrop is okay with that; as long as her flowers are happy. When Snowdrop encounters a blackbird waiting for her mate to return, she can't help but feel worried. The poor blackbird can't leave her nest - for her eggs must stay warm - therefore, she can't search for her missing mate. Snowdrop knows that she can assist the little blackbird - with a little help from her friends, that is - and begins her mission. But when she finds herself getting tired, Snowdrop wonders if she'll be able to keep her promise to the blackbird, or ruin the holiday for her newfound feathered friend. 4 stars.
   
   I love Christmas, and I love fairies, so I thought that MERRY FAIRY HOLIDAYS would be the perfect collection of stories to delve into. Pippa Le Quesne has done a lovely job of weaving three very delightful, holiday-oriented stories that will appeal to readers young and old, male or female. HOLLY'S CHRISTMAS RIDDLE and THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DISCOVERY are, without a doubt, the most holiday-oriented stories out of the three. Holly is an adorable character, whose passion for Christmas truly puts the reader into the holiday spirit, and leaves you wanting to plan a holiday party of your own. And the Christmas Tree Fairy's concern for her fir tree friends is an interesting topic that brings Christmas trees to life, sort of making the reader see the benefit of using fake trees for the holidays. I found that SNOWDROP'S WINTER WONDERLAND was the least Christmas-oriented, simply because the story rarely mentioned the Christmas holiday at all, whatsoever. It seemed more like a story predominantly about the Winter season, but was still fun to read - especially if you like animals. The fact that the illustrations throughout the book aren't colored slightly detracts from the stories, and truly makes the reader want to grab a crayon, and start scribbling; but, aside from that, the collection was quite enjoyable. MERRY FAIRY HOLIDAYS will help you to have a fairy merry Christmas!
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Freelance Reviewer

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

No comments about Let's Go Dear Dragon (Modern Curriculum Press Beginning to Read Series).

2 comments about Lanterns and Firecrackers: A Chinese New Year Story (Festival Time).

1. I really like this series. Students can read these books on their own and get a lot out of them. They can also be easily read for a read aloud. They are fun and interesting!



2. This is a nonfiction book aimed at the preK-K level, and it contains just the right amount of information for kids aged 3-5. The illustrations are lovely and there is simple text on each page. I paired this book along with Dragon Dance (author: Holub) and D is for Dragon Dance (author: Compestine), which have more lyrical text, for a preschoolers' storytime about Chinese New Year.