Pip and Posy and The Super Scooter by Axel Scheffler
Published by Nosy Crow
Pages: 32
Ages: 1 and up
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

Pip’s playing happily with his scooter in the park when Posy comes along and decides that she wants to have a turn. But she doesn’t know how to ride a scooter, and Pip has to come to the rescue.

Littlebug Loves Pip and Posy: “My favoritest thing about these books is that Pip and Posy are just like me and my big brother. Sometimes I’m not very good about asking to use his stuff, kind of like Posy with Pip’s scooter. I would love to ride a scooter like Pip’s! I think I probably would have taken it too, but Posy gets hurt. It’s so sad. But she has Pip to make her all better with a band-aid, one of my favoritest things!

“Maybe next time I will remember to ask my big brother Turkeybird to use his stuff because he makes sure I don’t get hurt and takes care of me. My mom also said it’s polite to ask first and maybe he wouldn’t be upset if I asked. That would be great! I love Pip and Posy!”

Mom’s Two Cents: Pip and Posy are back at it again! In this edition of the new series from Axel Scheffler they learn that it’s important to use manners and ask before taking someone else’s belongings. Posy decides all she’s ever wanted at that moment is to ride Pip’s very fun scooter, but what she doesn’t do is ask Pip if she can or if he will help her learn to use it. What begins as a careless act ends in the kind forgiveness of a good friend as Pip helps bandage up Posy and helps her home after a day of play.

Another wonderful story in the world of Pip and Posy! Of course having loved the first Pip and Posy story, The Little Puddle, we were thrilled to read & review another. What I may have only lightly touched on in my previous review was the fact that I love how applicable this series is to young kiddos, specifically toddlers & preschool age children. In both of the books we’ve read thus far the characters are in everyday situations that have been, in our experience, things happening in their lives right now. In the case of The Super Scooter, Littlebug is admittedly terrible about asking her big brother to borrow his things. This isn’t something I see coming to an end any time in the near future, but it’s still an issue that needs to be addressed and is often hard to find good picture books they can relate to. Pip and Posy and the Super Scooter is the perfect solution!

Not only does Pip and Posy and the Super Scooter address the issue of asking permission to use another’s belongings, but it also sheds light on some basic etiquette rules in a way that doesn’t feel pushy. By Posy apologizing for taking the scooter and then thanking Pip for bandaging her up, children are able to see multiple ways to incorporate the manners they learn about daily. It also shows kiddos the power of forgiveness. I was surprised by how forgiving Pip was, but then thought back to situations with Littlebug and Turkeybird. It’s always surprised me how quickly they forgive one another, a trait we could all use I’m sure, but without fail it happens each and every time. Pip forgiving Posy was another situation where you see how well the series relates to this age group, but also demonstrates the possibilities of a positive outcome when we’re forgiving of each other. It’s wonderful.

Toddlers and preschool age children need books they can relate to and specifically ones that they fall in love with because of gorgeous illustrations & fantastic characters. The Pip and Posy series by Axel Scheffler is exactly that. In this case, Axel Scheffler takes an ordinary situation involving sharing and turns it into a multi-layered lesson. Pip and Posy and the Super Scooter is easily a favorite of Littlebug’s because she relates so well to the characters and as a parent I value the lessons she’s learning from these wonderful characters. I’d quickly and easily recommend this series to anyone reading to young kiddos, you won’t be surprised by how much they love Pip and Posy but you will most likely be pleasantly surprised by how well written & illustrated the series is.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 1 to 7. Toddlers and preschoolers will love Pip and Posy and parents will love the lessons their children are learning. A much needed series we love reading over and over again!

Pip and Posy Activity Page (PDF)

Visit the official Pip and Posy website! (Your kiddos will love it!) Below is a video of the author, Axel Scheffler (also know for The Gruffalo), as he reads Pip and Posy and the Super Scooter:

Find at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, , for providing a copy of this book for review! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of all things Nosy Crow. Make sure to stop by the Nosy Crow site for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Also be sure to enter our Nosy Crow Giveaway for a chance to win a copy of this book as well as many other fantastic titles by Nosy Crow!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Nosy Crow, for coordinating many of this month’s features and reviews! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room–to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one–he says goodnight.

In this classic of modern children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.

Pick Up Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl
Published by Chronicle Books
Pages: 336
Ages: Middle Grade
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

Immediately compelling and action-packed, this carefully researched work of historical fiction introduces young readers to the childhood of the famous yet elusive Beryl Markham, the first person to fly solo from England to North America. As in her debut novel, Prisoners in the Palace, MacColl propels readers into a multilayered story with an unforgettable heroine and evocative language that brings the backdrop of colonial British East Africa to life. A fascinating read for anyone with a thirst for adventure.

Galloping into the air much like the horses she later trained, Beryl Clutterbuck Markham was a young women coming of age in a time not prepared for her vivaciousness. Growing up the only daughter of a successful farmer and horse trainer, Beryl turned to the native Nandi people in her East African home to teach her discipline and survival. Every day was an adventure filled with lions, leopards, a “step-mother”, a governess and eventually school in the city. Beryl grew from each of her experiences to become a woman revered by many, but her youth was filled with not only skepticism but danger at every turn.

Generally speaking I’m not a huge reader of historical fiction, particularly fictional stories based in reality. What I’ve loved about book reviewing has been the opportunity to stretch myself and discover something I never knew existed or that I would not normally have given a second glance. Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl was one of those such books. Initially, the thought of a middle grade novel about a young girl growing up in Africa based on the true events of Beryl Clutterbuck Markham’s life simply didn’t grab me. What I’ve discovered though is that not only was I wrong, but that I would have missed out greatly on Michaela MacColl’s writing had I passed this novel by.

Beryl was a young wild girl and were it not for her father’s concern for her future well-being as well as that of the reputation of their family she may have grown up as one of the Nandi she so loved. Her adventures of lion hunting and leaping in the air above her own head were the things most young children only dream & read about. What was fascinating was Beryl’s headstrong behavior with nearly everyone she came in contact with. It was this determination and no-nonsense sincerity that finally landed her in the cockpit of an airplane ride across the Atlantic in 1936. The story is actually told in alternating parts between her youth (around age eleven) and her adulthood centering around her actual trip. As I read both the pieces of her life slowly fell into place and it became an incredible adventure I thoroughly enjoyed.

Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl isn’t only a story about a young girl with a strong personality, but it’s a coming of age adventure most middle grade readers will thoroughly enjoy. Beryl Clutterbuck Markham’s life was an adventure a minute. She ran to the African tribe of the Nandi, had a terrible governess who beat her so much that she had to escape, she chased down and hunted wild animals, trained gorgeous horses and eventually landed in the pilot seat of a small plane. Her life inspired many and will continue to through the wonderful words of Michaela MacColl. As I said, historical fiction is not normally my cup of tea, but in the case of Pomise the Night I’m grateful I made an exception because I truly would have missed out on so much.

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 9 and up. A beautifully written historical fiction novel based on the life of Beryl Clutterbuck Markham. An adventure a minute that will teach young readers the importance of perseverance and discipline.

Promise the Night

Find Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Thank you so much to the publisher, Chronicle Books, for providing this book for review and giveaway! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping by Eileen Christelow

The day before school starts, Mama takes her five little monkeys shopping for clothes. “Stay right here,” she says, “AND DON’T GO WANDERING OFF!” But one little monkey has to go to the bathroom . . . and two little monkeys get thirsty. . . . Then three little monkey friends arrive . . . and four little monkeys decide to go help find the others. . . . Will Mama ever have all five of her little monkeys together again?

In this latest romp with Eileen Christelow’s Five Little Monkeys, vibrant, expressive illustrations accompany a catchy text that’s great for reading aloud. Simple math lessons are seamlessly incorporated into the fun.

In addition to this installment of the Five Little Monkeys series Eileen Christelow has written numerous other versions including, Five Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed, Five Little Monkeys Bake a Cake, Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree, Five Little Monkeys with Nothing to Do, Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car, Five Little Monkeys Play Hide-and-Seek, Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed and coming in October 2012 Five Little Monkeys Jump In The Bath. Most of the series can be found in picture book form as well as in a board book style as well. Eileen Christelow is also the author of a host of other picture books that can be found on her website.

Today’s picture book recommendation came courtesy of Debbie from Debbie’s World of Books. Thank you!

Pick Up Five Little Monkeys Go Shopping by Eileen Christelow:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!

Book Dreaming is just that. It’s a feature I use to highlight those books that make you dreamy or possibly just end up making you dream about them. It could be anything from newly released books to one’s that are already out that I can’t get out of my head to those I can’t seem to get my hands on soon enough!

Today’s Book Dreaming pick is Shadows of the Silver Screen by Christopher Edge. Last week I had the opportunity to share my review for the first book in this series, Twelve Minutes to Midnight. It was an incredible read and one I cannot wait to read more of. Christopher Edge is new to the middle grade novel scene and the Twelve Minutes to Midnight series is an absolute favorite of mine. As soon as I finished the first book I immediately asked if there was more and there is!

Publishers Summary for Shadows of the Silver Screen:
A mysterious filmmaker approaches The Penny Dreadful with a proposal to turn Montgomery Flinch’s sinister stories into motion pictures. With Monty installed as the star of his production, filming begins but is plagued by a series of strange and frightening events. As Monty pleads with Penny to help him, she is drawn into the mystery, but soon finds herself trapped in a nightmare penned by her own hand. Can Penny uncover the filmmaker’s dark secret before it’s too late?

Here are the upcoming release dates for the series (Remember this is a UK based series currently, so if you live in the US you’ll have to pick it up off of somewhere like Book Depository.):
Twelve Minutes to Midnight (The 1st in the series): February 2nd, 2012
Shadows of the Silver Screen (#2): August 2nd, 2012
The Black Crow Conspiracy (#3): January 10th, 2013

Pre-order Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge at the following spots:
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Shadows of the Silver Screen by Christopher Edge is not yet available for pre-order. It’s not even on Goodreads yet! But can be found on the Nosy Crow website. As soon as it is I’ll update this post with the info!

Today’s post is part of our month long celebration of all things Nosy Crow. Make sure to stop by the Nosy Crow site for more information about this title and more. For more information about our Book Publishers 101 feature take a look at this month’s opening post.

Also be sure to enter our Nosy Crow Giveaway for a chance to win some fantastic titles by Nosy Crow!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Nosy Crow, for coordinating many of this month’s features and reviews! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
Purchasing products by clicking through the links in this post will provide us a modest commission through our various affiliate relationships.

Henry’s Heart: A Boy, His Heart, and a New Best Friend by Charise Mericle Harper

Henry (and his heart) are perfectly happy playing indoors. But Henry’s mom encourages him to go for a walk outside. Soon, Henry’s heart starts beating faster. Is Henry riding a rollercoaster? Is he doing jumping jacks? What could be making Henry’s heart beat faster? In this engaging, informative story, children learn about the many ways the heart functions within the body, and how what we see, hear, and feel can directly affect our heart rate (like falling in love with a puppy!). Henry’s Heart leads him to the best gift ever—woof woof!

Charise Mericle Harper is also the author of the Just Grace series, the Fashion Kitty series (both of which are considered easy reader/early chapter books) as well as numerous picture books. Her recent release Just Grace and the Double Surprise was my nomination for the Cybils Early Chapter Book category and was recently announced as a finalist. Read my review here. Littlebug picked Charise’s picture book Pink Me Up as her favorite read of 2011 as well. Also, we will be featuring a Turkeybird Interview with Charise next week!

Find Charise writing daily at her blog, Drawing Mom.

Pick Up Henry’s Heart: A Boy, His Heart, and a New Best Friend by Charise Mericle Harper:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Interested in learning more about our feature “The Year of the Picture Book“? Please check out our opening post and be sure to leave your recommendations as well as links on that post. Thank you so much for your participation!