Moni Ritchie Hadley's Blog: Highly Recommended!, page 9

Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Family and Fun

Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Family and Fun by Mary Man-Kong

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A beautiful book introducing the traditions of the Lunar New Year. The illustrations are warm and inviting. A fun book for families to learn and celebrate a new cultural holiday together!



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Wash Day

Wash Day by Tiffany Golden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When Jelaya hides on wash day, it's her big sister to the rescue! This loving story demonstrates that a series of small choices can change the outcome of a big fear. It is delightful to see the sisters taking turns, helping each other, and coming up with new ideas to make wash day an enjoyable experience!



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Be My Valenslime

Be My Valenslime by Kris Tarantino

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Snoodle, an unusual monster who loves hearts and sparkles, tries to prove to her friends that Valentine's Day is the best! When things don't go as planned, Snoodle is patient and understanding because that's what love is ... The irresistible friends are full of monstery mayhem, and there's much to examine in the detailed illustrations for extra laughs. A book with a great message!



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Good Morning, I Love You, Violet!

Good Morning, I Love You, Violet! by Shauna Shapiro PhD

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A book about self-love for anyone who needs a reminder to be gentle with themselves. This book reinforces the idea that affirmations are powerful and can change how we feel. I love the illustrations supporting the hopeful message with bright, cheery patterns and easy-to-read facial expressions. This book gives kids an excellent tool to develop a healthy mindset.



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Our World: Argentina

Our World: Argentina by Aixa Perez-Prado

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A colorful peek at life in Argentina. The pronunciation spellings made the unfamiliar words easy to sound and fun to read out loud. The rhyming text gives it extra charm!! Great for the young ones!



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I Ship: A Container Ship's Colossal Journey

I Ship: A Container Ship's Colossal Journey by Kelly Rice Schmitt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A fascinating book about the journey of a container ship; I found this book engaging with the author's playful language and the details of the illustrator's pictures. I appreciate the intention behind this book, bringing awareness to kids that everyday items sometimes come from distant places. My favorite spread shows stacks of cargo boxes aboard the ship, full of stuff: Halloween items, bananas, paint supplies, etc ... Plenty to see and discuss! Complete with extensive back matter and a seek-and-find activity; this book is a stimulating read for all kids!



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A Christmas Eve Wish For Santa

A Christmas Eve Wish For Santa by Deb Adamson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book invites young readers to send blessings to Santa and his reindeer for Christmas, a nice twist on a classic. The illustrations are joyful and festive, setting the holiday mood. A great gift book for young kids!



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Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat

Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat by Tracy Gold

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Told in rhymes, this adorable book follows a squirrel's quest to stash food, from the beginning of winter to the following fall. Tracy C. Gold's active language and Nancy Leschnikoff's sketchy and colorful art make this an excellent read-aloud for young kids. Backmatter includes information about nine different squirrels from around the world. This book is perfect for seasonal studies in Pre-K and Kinder and for any young nature lover. Thanks to Sourcebooks for the advance copy.



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Everybody Has A Body

Everybody Has a Body by Molli Jackson Ehlert

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book celebrates all bodies! Its positive vibes and inclusivity will leave readers feeling seen and accepted. I love how the author shows how body shapes, needs, and activities differ from person to person. My favorite lines are, "Some adventure outdoors, some adventure indoors." illustrations are fun and engaging. There is no "normal." We are all unique!!



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Our Class is a Country

Our Class is a Country by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is an affirming voice and acceptance of diversity in the classroom. Bright and colorful illustrations set the mood for optimum engagement, and rhythm and rhyme make for a fun read-aloud. I love the ending spread inviting the reader to learn the word "hello," in eight different languages. A must for the classroom!



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