Review: My Little Golden Book About Betty by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrator Margeaux Lucas

Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about America's First Lady of Television, Betty White! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!

This Little Golden Book about Betty White--television star, comedian, animal lover, and game show competitor--is a celebration of the beloved woman! A great read-aloud for young girls and boys--as well as their parents and grandparents who grew up watching Betty on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls. –

“I think everybody needs a passion. Whether it's one passion or a hundred, that's what keeps life interesting..”

For as long as I can remember I knew of Betty White. By the time I was born, she had already lived a full life, and when she passed so suddenly, I remember being in shock. She was one of the people I thought would live forever.

Recently, she had been on my mind and when I came across this book, I jumped at the chance of reading it. It's obviously a children’s book, but I wanted to give it a go.

I realized that I knew so little about Betty White’s incredible life. Not only are the illustrations beautiful, the book is easy to read and surprisingly gives a full introduction into the life of Betty White. It’s a positive and inspiring story and I felt good while reading it. Easy to follow for any kid.

 Final Thoughts 

If I had children, I would definitely buy the book for them so they could get a history about the icon that is Betty White. 

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Review: You Have Feelings All the Time by You Have Feelings All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris and illustrator Jennifer Zivoin

You Have Feelings All the Time serves as a reminder that emotions are a healthy, normal part of life. Some of those feelings are big and some are quiet. Some feel good and others can feel uncomfortable—and that’s okay. Written from the perspective of a caring adult speaking to a child, this charming book helps young children build an emotional vocabulary.

You Have Feelings All the Time is an affirming and supportive book about children’s many different feelings. It helps preschoolers develop emotional literacy by naming and normalizing emotions. Strong emotions can scare or overwhelm kids, and helping them see that everyone feels mad, sad, or scared sometimes can comfort them and build their perspective-taking skills and their emotional vocabulary.

Its charming rhyme and heartwarming message make the book perfect for storytime, home, the preschool classroom, and whenever children need help building an emotional vocabulary.

Review

For children in this age range, navigating their feelings can be scary and confusing. You Have Feelings, another amazing book from her All the Time series, is such a sweet book with a tender touch. With its beautiful illustrations, it captures the emotions expressed in different moments. It’s presented in a way that is relevant and relatable. Starting with that loving cover, they can envision and connect similar thoughts and feelings with a book that embraces how they feel. 

I love the parallel to connect with the young reader that what they are feeling is what grown up feels. Not only are they the same but the validation of it being ok gives the child such a boost to their self esteem and helps them learn that what they’re feeling is normal and part of everyday life. The most important thing being how sharing what you feel can help.

The interest level of reading is ages 2-6. The book is 32 pages. The book includes a supplemented resource that is a guide for caregivers for helping their children manage their feelings.

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Review: I Love You All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris and Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

Summary

I Love You All the Time by Deborah Farmer Kris and illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. The first in her children’s book series is written to reassure children they are loved and lovable no matter the ups and downs of the day with words of affirmation for kids. This book emphasizes the power of consistent love from caregivers to help children develop confidence, resilience, and emotional agility.

Parents and teachers want strategies for helping preschoolers manage their emotions. But to effectively teach emotional self-regulation strategies, children first need to know they are safe and loved—all the time. Even when they lose their temper, even when they stay up too late, or lose their shoes, or yell at their friend. The steady love of a caregiver can help children thrive, even when life is challenging.

Written from the perspective of a caring adult speaking to a child, I Love You All the Time strengthens relationships by addressing the common childhood fear: Am I loved all the time? Its charming rhyme, words of affirmation for kids, and heartwarming message make the book perfect for storytime, home, the preschool classroom, and whenever children need a reminder that they’re loved.

Review

There is no greater love than one from a parent. I Love You All the Time is such a sweet book that reassures your child that they are loved not only during the good but also those challenging moments. I love the cover. It just sets such a loving tone for the book. The book, between its beautiful illustrations and engaging rhymed message, will leave your child feeling supported and cared about. This is the first book in the series and also my favorite. It just leaves your heart full with a wonderful impression. If you haven’t checked out the series, then I suggest you do. The first two books are available in the series with the third coming this summer.

The book is 32 pages and for the reading ages of 2-6.

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Review: The Gift Shop Bear by Phyllis Harris

The Gift Shop Bear is the right book to warm your heart just in time for the holidays.

We are introduced to a bear who loves nothing more than his friend Annie. He patiently awaits all year for when it’s time to hang out at her grandmother’s shop every Christmas. Sadly, this year her shop will close and bear doesn’t know what his future will bring. Follow along this heartwarming holiday story and experience what’s to come for this special friendship. 

Overall, the book was a wonderful read. It’s beautiful illustrations complemented with it’s sweet  story give it an inviting feel. What I love most about this book is the beauty of their genuine friendship. This is one that I’m sure you’ll read over and again. This book is 32 pages and is recommended for ages 4-7.

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Review: Dash and Nikki and The Jellybean Game by Anthony C. Delauney and illustrated by Chiara Civati

Dash and Nikki and the Jellybean Game is a colorful rhyming book that teaches children about the value of saving for the future. This book describes a simple game that any family can play with their children and gives parents a tool to discuss the importance of patience and sharing. With a rhyming format that is easy for children to read and remember, it’s easy to follow along as Dash and Nikki play the Jellybean Game, learning to be patient in their decisions and to always help one another. Sometimes a simple game can teach a lifelong lesson!

Review

What a wonderful book this was! Not only was the book inviting from it’s colorful illustrations but it offered some important lessons that the author brought to a level that was relatable and teachable. I loved how the characters were siblings because not only was it a fun game they could play together but it taught them how to help each other. Two important things that kids struggle with are being patient and sharing. This story does a great job with taking those two things and showing children the benefits of what can happen when you work together and share. This would be a wonderful introduction to show them the value in saving while playing a fun game.

This is recommended for grade level 3-4 and has 38 pages.

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Review: You Are Revolutionary by Cindy Wang Brandt

Parenting Author, Advocate and podcast host, Cindy Wang Brandt has written her first children's book, You Are Revolutionary. In this inspiring picture book she speaks to every child who sees injustice in the world, revealing they have everything they need inside themselves to make big, transformative change in the world, just as they are. Every kid is a revolutionary! You don't need to wait until you grow up. You don't even need any special skills. Kids who are loud, kids who are quiet, kids who make art, kids who are good at math, kids with lots of energy, kids who are good listeners--all kids have what it takes to make a difference. Lynnor Bontigao's vibrant illustrations feature a diverse group of children taking up a call to action and using their individual gifts to change the world.

Review

You Are Revolutionary is one of those books that I loved from the start. From that empowering young girl of the cover representing what “you” can be, this is a definite read that is relevant today. What I thought was creative and inspiring were the affirming words inside the cover pages that have meaning and call to action. This was a beautiful story that showed the importance and potential of a young voice and how despite opposition and obstacles, you can be the change you want. No matter how small the task is or where you come from, your voice and actions can make a difference. It's so important to not only show but instill that giving back and helping others is an important part of living in this world together.

Overall, the book had an empowering message that will inspire young kids to hopefully want to be proactive with making the world better. The beautiful illustrations were diverse and everyone will be able to relate with someone in the book. The suggested age range of the book is 4 -7. It has 32 pages.

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