Valarie Budayr's Blog, page 10

Keep Calm and eBook On

As the holiday season begins to ramp up and the act of holiday gift-buying shifts to a whole new direction, we want to remind people that books are always a great gift for kids and adults alike. We would like to remind everyone that eBooks are NOT a “less than” or undesirable gift for the people on your shopping list. eBooks offer an affordable way to: Avoid standing forever in

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Kidlit for Native American Heritage Month: The Otter, the Spotted Frog and the Great Flood

This month I am revisiting some of my favorite family reads surrounding Native American Heritage Month. Many of these books were published a handful of years ago, but as such high quality, they deserve to remain on parents, educators, caregivers, and librarians radar. One such book is a Creek Indian tale called, The Otter, the Spotted Frog and the Great Flood by Gerald Hausman and beautifully illustrated by Ramon Shiloh. In this

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Kidlit for Native American Heritage Month: The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale

I first saw this book when it was in galley form and it was breathtaking then. Actually holding the book in my hands is an experience I’m very happy with. The Hunter’s Promise: An Abenaki Tale told by long-time story-teller and author Joseph Bruchac and beautifully illustrated by Bill Farnsworth is a beautiful re-telling of an old story from the Abenaki Indians of Vermont and Canada. “Promise to remember me” was

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Kidlit for Native American Heritage Month: Whispers of the Wolf

There is something truly magical about forming a bond with a wild animal. Do I need to say that one must exercise caution? However one doesn’t need to exercise caution when a bond is formed between a boy, a wolf, and the human reading the story. Such is the case with Whispers of the Wolf by Pauline Ts’o. This book is also perfect for Native American Heritage Month, or as it is

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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear  is a wonderful children’s picture book by Lindsay Mattock and illustrated brilliantly by Sophie Blackall is not only charming in every way but completely captivating.   Before it won the Caldecott Medal 2016, I had seen it sitting on a variety of bookstore shelves but hadn’t picked it up yet. Honestly, I’m glad I waited because this book was like receiving

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Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven and Happy Sun Bread Recipe

The temps are dipping and my outside world is a little on the cold and rainy side for days. I’m ready to see the sun, even though I know it won’t pack the warmth that the summertime rays typically have. This dreary weather makes me want to snuggle up with a good book and a cup of steaming tea. It also makes me want to BAKE! Wouldn’t it be fun if we

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We all want it to still feel like Christmas

It’s Fall, Y’all! The idea of cooler weather in the forecast makes us all want to hunker down and get cozy in prep for many months of being indoors. BUT, with that recognition of autumn also comes the excitement of the yummy smells, tastes, traditions, and decor. Everyone at Audrey Press is looking forward to this holiday season even though things will likely look a bit different this year. At

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Hybrid Book Buying | The 10% Shift Challenge

Many years ago, there was a Buy Local initiative called 10% Shift Challenge: A Small Shift Can Make a Big Difference. The premise behind this campaign was to encourage people to shift 10% of their weekly buying AWAY from online sources and spend those dollars with local independently-owned businesses instead. Why? Because a 2003 study found each $100 spent at local independents generated $45 of secondary local spending, compared to

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Classic Children’s Book “Caps for Sale” Turns 80 Years Old!

October is National Book Month and what better way to kick off this awesome month than to celebrate the 80th year of one of my all-time favorite Classic Children’s Book, Caps for Sale. It was one of the first books I learned to read on my own. I loved those pesky monkeys and all the mischief they got into in and I know your kids will delight in following the peddler’s

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One and DONE! Gifting Books for the Whole Family

As the gift-giving holiday approaches, parents may be tempted to buy the toys that honk, walk, buzz, or light up. Though it may not light up or wiggle, books are an amazing gift because they are meaningful, beautiful, portable, appealing, inexpensive and a gift that can be opened again and again. AND, there always a book for every member of the family. One of the many results of being in

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