Way Back Wednesday ~ Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden – Edith Pattou

Looking for a lovely book to give to a beloved teacher at the end of the year?  Mrs. Spitzer’s garden is a winner!  This post was originally published on 01/11/10.

Beautiful pictures coupled with simple text provide a powerful message. Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden highlights the impact and influence teachers have in helping children to grow.  Mrs. Spitzer is a teacher and is given a packet of seeds at the beginning of the year by the principal.  The reader is then able to follow the journey the seeds take with Mrs. Spitzer.  Just like real children in the classroom each seed is different and requires specialized care and attention to blossom.  This book shares an important message in a lovely manner.

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart – Glenys Nellist

Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart features eighteen Bible stories – Nine from the Old Testament and nine from the New Testament that share the contributions of female Bible characters.  Each two page spread is beautifully illustrated and includes a featured Bible verse as well as a pop-up love letter from God.  Each love letter provides a personalized message for the reader in letter form that shares God’s love.  This sweet book is a wonderfully encouraging Bible story collection.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Handlebar Marketing, no other compensation was given.  All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. 

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog – Adam Gidwitz

Once our daughter started reading this book, she couldn’t put it down.  The Inquisitor’s Tale is a fantasy story set in France during the Middle Ages.  Each chapter is a different tale told by a different story teller at an inn.  Ultimately their stories weave together to share the experiences of the three magical children and their holy dog.  There is a lot of depth and complexity to this book.  It could be enjoyed by tween and teen readers as well as their parents.

So Few of Me – Peter H. Reynolds

An old favorite has come back today for Way Back Wednesday!  This review was originally posted on August 24, 2009.

Have you ever wished that there could magically be another you in order to have two to tackle your to do list?!  Leo is a really busy guy…Even creating a list does not seem to help him get all of the things he needs to get done completed.  He is so busy in fact that magically there are two, three, four, and ultimately even more of him.  Sadly, no matter how many Leos come on the scene, the work cannot seem to be completed.  If anything, the more Leos that arrive seem to create more work not less.  Leo ultimately learns the importance of relaxation and doing less while doing his best.  A sweet tale with a serious message for all readers but perhaps will hit home most with adults.

Stickley Makes a Mistake: A Frog Guide to Trying – Brenda S. Miles

Stickley Makes a Mistake! is a cute book that explores constructive ways to deal with mistakes and when things simply don’t go the way you had hoped they might.  The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful.  This is a terrific book with important messages.  Preschool and early elementary learners will love Stickley the Frog.

Way Back Wednesday ~ Can I Tell You a Secret – Anna Kang

We recently went to a book signing and met Anna Kang.  At the event, we learned that Monty will be featured in another book which will debut next fall.  Our family is eager to read it!  This review was originally posted on August 29, 2016.

Can I Tell You a Secret is a precious book that features a little frog with a big secret – He is scared of the water and cannot swim!  This would be a problem for anyone to be sure, but it is a huge problem for a frog.  Ultimately, Monty the frog learns that conquering your fears is a lot easier when you have the help of a friend.
Can I Tell You a Secret is a darling book that would make a terrific read-aloud.

The Most Magnificent Thing – Ashley Spires

The Most Magnificent Thing is a new favorite!  This darling picture book has big messages to share.  A young girl decides that she is going to make “the most magnificent thing”, and she is sure it is going to be easy.  As time goes by, she comes to realize that magnificent things are rarely created with ease.  After many frustrating attempts, her dog, who is her best friend and assistant, encourages her to take a break from her work and go for a walk.  Refreshed and renewed when she returns, she is able to finally create “the most magnificent thing” she has been dreaming of making.  The Most Magnificent Thing is a fantastic read aloud for little kids and big kids.

Way Back Wednesday ~ Cloudette – Tom Litchtenheld

This post was originally published on September 26, 2011.

Cloudette is a favorite at our home.  Our daughter delights in reading about Cloudette, the sweet little cumulus cloud who enjoys her life as a little cloud but longs to do big and important things like the other clouds.  After being blown far from her neighborhood during a storm, she meets a little frog whose pond has dried up to nothing more than a little mud puddle.  Determined to help, she musters all of her determination and in the end finds she is capable of doing lots of important things.

Written with humor and enhanced with colorful, appealing pictures, Cloudette is a feel good story that shares an important message.

Little Mouse’s Big Valentine – Thacher Hurd

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.