Summer Reading - If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend

Since today is Global Hug Your Kids Day, this book is a great "fit". I have long been a big "fan" of picture books. If you are able to combine a fun story with colorful illustrations, well, I am likely to like the book. I do not believe it is ever truly possible to outgrow an excellent picture book - just because the book was written for children ages three to five, it does not mean a grandma will not also enjoy the book. In fact, I am fully convinced all picture books should include "grandmas" when it lists the ages for whom the book is written!

With all of this in mind, when I had the opportunity to select a few books from Scholastic to review and review, I just had to ask for the book I'm reviewing today . . . and I am SO happy they sent it to me!

Today is Global Hug Your Kids Day!

Now this is a "day" this grandma is very willing to celebrate - although, for the most part, I hugged grown kids and grandkids yesterday when they were here - I'm sending virtual hugs to them today and hugging my grown daughter since she is at my house today! So, to celebrate this wonderful day, let's look at some of the benefits of hugs - did you know . . .

Summer Reading - for You! - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

Our DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

Yes, our physical DNA tells our cells and bodies how to Develop, Live and Reproduce, but let's think for a moment about another type of "DNA". A Spiritual DNA. More specifically, our "Faith and Prayer DNA". What are a, "Faith and Prayer DNA" you ask? Well, just as our physical DNA provides the code for how our bodies develop, live and reproduce, our "Faith and Prayer DNA" gives us the code or instructions which help us learn to develop a strong walk of faith, live as people who believe and reproduce by handing down to our children and our children's children a strong, confident and healthy walk of faith. 

Summer Reading - Chicken Little - The Real and Totally True Tale

 

In a box of books I received a couple years ago from Scholastic was a fun and quirky book - Chicken Little - The Real and Totally True Tale . . . a book which quickly became a favorite of my grandsons!

grandma's chuckles - "You Didn't Ask God to Let You Be a Boy"

Don't you just love it when the children you love say things which you know you will never forget? One day when my dear grandson was four years old he told me how wonderful it is to be a boy. He then said, "Before I was born I asked God to let me be a boy!" Then he looked at me with a very sad look, shook his head ever so slightly and said, "You didn't ask God to let you be a boy!" Obviously the only reason I was "stuck" being a girl is because I didn't think to ask God to let me be a boy! 

Summer Reading - illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

 

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants me to Know book series - The Lost Lamb, The Woman at the Well, The Man with Leprosy, The Good Samaritan, The Pharisee  & the Tax Collector, The Two Builders, and Martha & Mary so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for the children you love, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books - what could be a better way to spend a hot or rainy Summer day!

Summer Reading - Not a Box

While I continue to wait for another box of books to arrive, I'm happy to share with you another book which was MUCH loved by my grandsons - Not a Box by Antoinette Portis.

Today is National Delaware Day

If you live in Delaware, today is a day to celebrate as it is National Delaware Day! So whether you live there or not, gather the children you love (or connect with them on-line) and share some fun information about this State - such as some of their silly laws and interesting fun facts - did you know . . .

Summer Reading - illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero books

   

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

Summer Reading - Do Your Ears Hang Low?

For the past few weeks I've been sharing book reviews with you in my Summer Reading reviews. Reading to and with the children we love is one of the most important things we can ever do to help them speak sooner, develop a larger vocabulary, begin to read, and do better in school, so reading to and with them in the Summer - and all year - is one of the best ways we are able to spend our time with them. Since I'm waiting for more books to arrive, today I'm very happy to let you know about a book I reviewed a few years ago from Union Square Kids - it was one of my grandson's favorite books! Do Your Ears Hang Low? illustrated by Jenny Cooper is a "must-get" book and is sure to be a favorite of the children you love, too! 

Summer Reading - illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book for which you need to provide the illustrations, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books,   nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations. This means you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook!

Summer Reading - What's in a Dumpling, Grandma?

I have one more book from Tommy Nelson/ Harper Collins which I am happy to share with you today. I do have more books on their way and will share their reviews when they arrive, but today let's take a look at What's in a Dumpling, Grandma? by Linda Meeker and illustrated by Sandra Eide.

Summer Reading - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

When we trust God, we are steadfast and are able to experience His perfect peace. This is certainly what we want for the ones we love; at all times, but especially now with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the uncertainties of day-to-day life in 2024, and as the children we love will be returning to school in just over a month. They may especially feel fear as they see and hear about the things going on in this world and think about returning to school.

If ever there was a time to help them learn to be people who talk with God, this is it. So, to help you with this, I and my grandsons want you to know about our book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. Look what people are saying about this book - 

Today is National Wyoming Day

If you live in Wyoming then today is a day to celebrate as it is National Wyoming Day! Let's look at some silly Wyoming laws and then some interesting fun facts about this State - be sure to share them with the children you love! Did you know . . .