Way Back Wednesday ~ Bread Illustrated: A Step-By-Step Guide to Achieving Bakery-Quality Results at Home – The Editors at America’s Test Kitchen (Editor)

Posted on February 12, 2020 by laura

This review was originally posted November 27, 2017.

If you are interested in learning how to make delicious home-made bread, this is the book for you. I have loved going thru and trying the recipes in this book. Everything I have made has been wonderful. I particularly liked the explanations included with each recipe that explain why the recipe works to give you the result you want. I also really appreciated the detailed information about ingredients and supplies. This would make a great gift for your favorite baker!

Title: Bread Illustrated
Author: America's Test Kitchen (Firm)
Genre: Bread
Publisher: America's Test Kitchen
Release Date: 2016
Pages: 432

Let’s All Creep Through Crocodile Creek – Jonny Lambert

Posted on January 27, 2020 by laura

Let’s All Creep Through Crocodile Creek is a delightful picture book. It features beautiful, engaging pictures coupled with dynamic text that introduces the reader to the use of numerous literary devices including alliteration and onomatopoeia. Although this book would be a fun read for young learners, it would be a great option for older learner as well who were learning to recognize as well as use literary devices within their writing. This one is a winner!

Let's All Creep Through Crocodile Creek Book Cover

Title: Let's All Creep Through Crocodile Creek
Author: Jonny Lambert
Release Date: August 8, 2019
Pages: 32

Way Back Wednesday ~ Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

Posted on January 15, 2020 by laura

This review was originally posted August 31, 2011.

Wind in the Willows is a HUGE favorite at our home! This classic tale is filled with adventure and animals that behave like human beings. Grahame’s descriptive detail helps the reader “see” Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and Toad as well as appreciate their unique personalities and ultimately the friendship they share with one another.

As is often the case with classic tales, although enjoyed by children, this book is also loved by adults. It truly is a great story that is a delight to read.

Title: The Wind in the Willows
Author: Kenneth Grahame
Genre: Nature stories
Publisher: Wordsworth Collector's Editions
Release Date: September 7, 2018
Pages: 272

Keeper of the Lost Cities – Shannon Messenger

Posted on January 13, 2020 by laura

Today, our little lady is stepping in and doing a book review for the blog.

Keeper of the Lost Cities is a phenomenal book. It is fast-paced and has lots of plot twists that make the storyline even more interesting. You can also really relate to all of the characters and what they are feeling. Also, it is a series so there are many more books of amazingness to enjoy!

Title: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Author: Shannon Messenger
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release Date: August 6, 2013
Pages: 512

A Place for Pluto – Stef Wade

Posted on November 4, 2019 by laura

We loved A Place for Pluto! This highly engaging book details Pluto’s shock and dismay when he is stripped of his planet status and his subsequent attempts to find where he might fit within the universe. Scientifically sound, funny, and encouraging, A Place for Pluto is a winner.

Title: A Place for Pluto
Author: Stef Wade
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Capstone
Release Date: 2018-07
Pages: 32

Way Back Wednesday – First Day of School

Posted on August 14, 2019 by laura

Today is our daughter’s first day of middle school, and the message of The Dot seemed the perfect way to start the year. Looking forward to a great one!

The Dot is perhaps my favorite picture book of all time. The Dot introduces us to Vashti a little girl who is not very eager about art class. Her art teacher encourages her to “make her mark”. With gentle guidance from her teacher, Vashti’s natural abilities as an artist as well as a teacher develop. Ultimately, the simple text and accessible pictures pull the reader into Vashti’s story. The profound impact of the words and actions of a teacher are highlighted and the power of enthusiasm and encouragement are reinforced.

Title: The Dot
Author: Peter Reynolds
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: 2003
Pages: 32

Say Something – Peter H. Reynolds

Posted on April 8, 2019 by laura

Our favorite children’s book author has released another winner! Say Something encourages the reader to realize that everyone has something worthwhile to share and by sharing can make the world a better place. Delightful illustrations make the text come to life in this tale of encouragement and empowerment. Say Something is the perfect classroom read aloud as you work on developing a strong class culture of risk taking and respect for each other.

Title: Say Something
Author: Peter H. Reynolds
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Pages: 40

Way Back Wednesday ~ Island of the Blue Dolphin– Scott O’Dell

Posted on April 3, 2019 by laura

This post was originally published on January 12, 2015.

This classic was one of my very favorites as a child. I was excited to share it with our daughter, and I was delighted that she loved it too. Island of the Blue Dolphin shares the story of Karana and her survival on an island off the Pacific Coast for a span of eighteen years. Her tenacity and ingenuity are keys to her success.

Title: Island of the Blue Dolphins
Author: Scott O'Dell
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: 1960
Pages: 184

Little Mouse’s Big Valentine – Thacher Hurd

Posted on February 13, 2019 by laura

This is my favorite Valentine’s Day book in our collection. Little Mouse has a very big valentine that he wants to share, but none of his friends are interested because it is just too big. As he ponders how to solve his dilemma, Little Mouse makes a new friend and together they come up with a solution that allows everyone to enjoy a Valentine’s Day treat.

Title: Little Mouse's Big Valentine
Author: Thacher Hurd
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: December 20, 1991
Pages: 32

Way Back Wednesday ~ Word of Mouse – James Patterson

Posted on January 30, 2019 by laura

This is still a special favorite!

Word of Mouse is a terrific book which features Isaiah the Mouse. Although Isaiah is scared about just about everything after being raised in a laboratory, he is very smart and has a will to succeed. Through a very special friendship with a girl he meets after escaping from the laboratory, Isaiah discovers that he has the power within him to make the world a better place.

Title: Word of Mouse
Author: James Patterson
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Publisher: jimmy patterson
Release Date: December 12, 2016
Pages: 304

Once Upon a Storyville

Where one Mom and educator shares her opinions on books, and maybe more…

Category Archives: Favorites