Althea's Reading Corner

Title: The Anxious Monster Author: Sarah Reed Genre: Children's fiction Format: Kindle ARC No. of Pages: 22 pages Date of Publication: July 26, 2020 Description:  Even scary monsters have worries and fears *Help your child overcome any of their own worries  *Use of perspective and problem solving *Keeping worries from getting too large *Most worries never come true This story is geared to kids ages 3-5, level 1. Perfect for boys, girls, preschool, pre-K, and Kindergarten. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers. My Thoughts: I picked up this book for my son, who is a little too young for the book at this time as he is only 11 months old but I know it will come in handy later when he is older. The books is filled with colorful illustrations. When Sarah Read is describing the anxious monster, it reminded me of the way that I describe my son to others when talking about what milestone progress he has made and what he likes to do.  Sarah Read takes the reader...

Title: More Fish Faces Author: Tam Warner Minton Genre: Nonfiction Format: Digital (phone) No. of Pages: 52 Date of Publication:  September 1, 2020 Description:  Ocean lovers and budding marine biologists will love   More Fish Faces , Book Two in the children's book series, Ocean Friends, that started with   All Fish Faces .   More Fish Faces   gives you more fun faces and more fun facts for fish fans young and old. Colorful photography — including the names of every fish featured — creates a colorful dive log worth experiencing again and again. The photos and fun facts are presented in small and easily digestible bites so your child can enjoy learning in short bursts or longer reads. It is a wonderful book for bedtime. Concepts like recycling, re-purposing, and sustainability are presented with photos and practical examples that are easily understood. The new kid's series, Ocean Friends, educates children with colorful photography, practical examples, and ...

Title: The Adventures of Rembrandt the Tuxedo Cat Helps Callie, the Callico Cat, Find Her Meow Author: Marsha Walk Carroll Genre: Children's book Format: Kindle ARC No. of Pages: 32  Date of Publication: October 6, 2020 Description:   Rembrandt, affectionately known as Remy, is well loved and lives with his Purr-ents and his big brother, Leo, the Tabby Cat. In this inaugural story book of Rembrandt, the Tuxedo Cat, Remy comes upon an unfamiliar calico cat who has shyly seated herself on the bench in his backyard. A great mystery has presented itself with the quiet little calico cat. As Remy strikes up a conversation, the little calico cat has no meow. Remy and Callie, as he calls her, go on a quest to help her find her meow. They search his back yard and the woods behind his house. Will they find Callie’s meow? And if so, where will they find it? My Thoughts:  This is my first children's book that I have picked up from Netgalley for a review. I thought it would be a ...

Title: The Day I Had a Dinosaur Author: Ashley Wall Series: The Day I Had a.... Genre: Children's fiction Format: Digital No. of Pages: 36 Date of Publication: June 11, 2024   Description:  From the bestselling author of  The Day I Had a Bulldozer  comes a dinosaur filled adventure sure to engage every dinosaur fan! Have you ever had a dinosaur? Join these kind friends in this fun-filled friendship story about our favorite prehistoric reptiles … Dinosaurs! When Luke and his friends have “real-life” dinosaurs for a day, there can only be one outcome, the best-osaurus day ever! Join these kind-hearted friends as they adventure through their day, ensuring that no dinosaur is left out, and everyone has fun working together. Perfect for: Dino enthusiasts. Teaching inclusion, teamwork, and kindness. Kids who love silly pictures. Parents who want a fun book to read. Gifts for all occasions. "A laugh-out-loud, fun-filled playground adventure, with a dino-sized twist." - Read...

Title: Where Hands Go: The Power of No Author: Krystaelynne Sanders Diggs Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 40 Date of Publication: February 09, 2023 Description:  "Where Hands Go: The Power of No" - A Must-Read Book for Parents! This is the third book in the series and it is a powerful and inspiring children's book that teaches the importance of body safety and the power of the word "no." With playful and engaging rhymes, children will learn to recognize and speak out against unwanted touches, set boundaries, and communicate with trusted adults. The book includes a comprehensive parent resource guide that provides valuable information and support for parents, teachers, and caregivers. With one in four girls and one in six boys at risk of sexual abuse before the age of 18, it is crucial that we educate our children about body safety. The book helps to increase knowledge and awareness, empowering children to protect themselves and create ...

Title: Feelings on the Farm Author: Heather Wall Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Hardcover No. of Pages: 12 Date of Publication: October 4, 2023 Description:  Help your child understand their feelings with this relatable and engaging board book. Babies and toddlers might be small, but their emotions can be very big. With this engaging board book, filled with our favorite farm animals, little ones will start understanding their emotions. Being able to put a word to a feeling and know what made them feel that way, is a huge step in social and emotional health. Praise for Feelings on the Farm: “Libraries and parents seeking board books that excel in the easy understanding of emotions by the very young will find Feelings on the Farm a major attraction.”  - Midwest Book Review “An entertaining and engaging SEL addition to add to your bookshelf!” –  The Barefoot Librarian “It's a book that your family can enjoy for years!” –  Reedsy Expressive animal illustrations to eng...

Title: Good Night, Cuddle Tight Author: Kristi Valiant Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 20 Date of Publication: December 19, 2023 Description:  A funny and tenderhearted book for toddlers and the just-right bedtime routine! After Dad tucks nine little bunnies into bed, the whole house is quiet--and Dad can finally get some sleep! But when one wide-awake bunny requests a just-you-and-me bedtime cuddle, the house is soon filled with spins, squeezes, flops, and pops! Featuring cute rhyming text and adorable bunny art,  Good Night, Cuddle Tight is a must-read for boys and girls ages 0-4; gets the giggles out before bedtime and settles kiddos down for sleep; is the perfect gift to celebrate Easter, spring, and Father's Day; and is a sturdy board book with rounded corners, making it a great option for a nursery display, to fit into a baby-shower gift basket, or for reading during snuggle time and bedtime routines. Start your own special bedtime cuddle with your...

Title: The Day I had a Bulldozer Author: Ashley Wall Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Hardcover No. of Pages: 32 Date of Publication: September 26, 2023 Description:  A fun-filled friendship story about our favorite things that go…CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES! Luke can’t believe his eyes when he looks from his window and sees a bulldozer outside … with his name on it! He feels like the luckiest boy in the world vrooming around with his best buddy, his dog Bobo. But the fun is only getting started when his friends ride in on a dump truck, steamroller, and excavator. They are ready for an amazing day of construction adventure … come join them! Supports imagination, friendship, teamwork, and perseverance. My Thoughts: I have a four year old son and he has always been fascinated by construction vehicles. We live in a neighborhood where other houses are currently being built and we see the construction trucks all the time. He is always asking questions about them. My Son's Nana just recen...

Title: A Very Nutty Halloween Author: Jody Hildreth Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 24 Date of Publication: August 1, 2023   Description:  Halloween is a thrilling, spooky holiday that kids love to celebrate. This story follows an acorn family as they pick and carve their pumpkin. The Oakenfield brothers all use their talents to work on this fun holiday activity. With lots of hard work and a little pumpkin gut throwing, the brothers come up with an amazing acorn Jack o’ Lantern. This silly story is sure to spark creativity in young readers who are celebrating Halloween. My Thoughts:  Halloween is my favorite my holiday, which is why I was excited to request this book. Sadly, I was disappointed by the book. The story is very basic and is simply a step by step instruction on how the acorns carved a pumpkin. The acorns being the main characters were a unique idea. Rating: 2 out of 5. Sadly this story was just not for me and my son. Many thanks to Rosen...

Title: The Boo Crew Needs YOU! Author: Vicky Fang Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 40 Date of Publication: August 1, 2023   Description:  Trouble's come to Monster Town, and emergencies abound! There's no time to wait around... get the Boo Crew! Get ready for a spooky interactive story experience with Lula, Bones, and Fang—a ghost, skeleton, and vampire team who need YOUR help fixing all the messes and frights of a Halloween night gone wrong! Whether it's tapping the page to mend a broken pumpkin or turning the book to set a toppling haunted house back upright, the action prompts let kids join in on the fun and save the day. My Thoughts:  I loved this book. It is such a fun Halloween childrens book. The story follows the boo crew who goes around town solving Halloween themed problems. The best part of the book is the interactive activities included throughout that gets your child involved into the story. As I was reading it, I was thinking to mysel...

Title: Goodnight Santa Author: Michelle Robinson Genre: Children's Fiction Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 28 Date of Publication: August 29, 2023   Description:  Get ready for bed during the holiday season with a sweet, jolly story and goodnight, Christmas twist! Follow Santa Claus's journey from his workshop in the North Pole to his magical sleigh and flying reindeer as he brings gifts of every shape and size! In this Christmas picture book, come celebrate the most wonderful time of year as children settle into bed and say "night night" to those sugar plums in their head, perfect for fans of Polar Express! Kids will love saying good night to Santa, his reindeer, and the elves for many holiday nights in what is sure to become a bedtime tradition for families to share. My Thoughts:  A fun Christmas bedtime story that catches the essence of Christmas for children. The things the children say goodnight to are adorable. My son enjoyed this book quite a bit and we have...

Title: Santa's Slip Up Author: Raven Howell Genre: Children's Format: Kindle No. of Pages: 38 Date of Publication: July 12, 2023 Description:  It's the night of Halloween. Spooks, spiders and skeletons abound, the full moon glows - so who is cheering, "Ho, ho, ho!"? Apparently, Santa Claus has come to town. What starts as a sticky situation is wittingly handled with humor, and surprisingly, there's a new winner at this year's Halloween parade. For fans of Room on the Broom and The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.  My Thoughts: It's Halloween night and Santa accidentally goes out on Halloween night. This book is supposed to be humorous and is compared to Room on the Broom and The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, both of which I have read and own. Sadly, even though I am a fan of both of those books just mentioned, I did not find this book to be in the same league as them.  Santa's Slip up has more realistic drawings, un...

Title: Dino-Thanksgiving Author: Lisa Wheeler Genre: Children's Fiction   Format: Kindle ARC No. of Pages: 32 Date of Publication: September 1, 2020 Description:  Follow along as dinos travel over the river and through the woods to join together with family. They enjoy favorite activities, including a corn maze, a televised parade with giant balloon creations, and of course a football game between the Redscales and the Snackers! The dinos share in not one but two feasts--one for the carnivores and another for the veggie-saurs. Join in the fun as the dinos find much to be thankful for on this special holiday!   My Thoughts: I picked up this book for my son who is 11 months old. He loves to read and carry around books and it looked like it might be a fun illustration book for him to look at and I was right. The illustrations done by Barry Gott are well done. They are fun, colorful, and eye catching. I really enjoyed the illustrations myself. Lisa Wheeler wrote a splendid st...