Children's Book Review~Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Author Carole P. Roman has written another delightful children's book, Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? Illustrated by Mateya Arkova, the book is thirty-two pages long with just one or two lines of text on the pages. It would make a great gift for a beginning reader. 

In Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  two little girls ask their father if they can still be princesses if they were to become firefighters. The father describes all the different occupations they can become when they are older-they can be anything they want to be, and still be princesses. 

Although it looks like a 'girly' book from the cover, my grandson Daniel enjoyed the book. The story rhymes, and the pictures are so cute! He likes to see the girls dressed up in all the different outfits for the different jobs. I love the sweet story and the beautiful, soft illustrations.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

You can learn more about the author and her books and order your own copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  at http://www.caroleproman.com/

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Rocket-Bye

Rocket-Bye is a sweet new book written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova. It is thirty-two pages, with only one sentence on each page, making it perfect for an early reader to read on their own, or a great bedtime story to share.  The illustrations are whimsical, with beautiful, soft colors.

Rocket-Bye appealed to my four-year-old grandson immediately, with its rocket ship on the cover! He enjoyed the cute rhyming story, and loved the pictures of the planets, constellations, and stars. This book is frequently requested for his bedtime story.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

 To purchase your own copy of Rocket-Bye and learn more about the author and her books, visit her website.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...Egypt

Author Carole P. Roman's series introducing children to culture around the world is a favorite in our home. We have all of the books in the series, and everyone enjoys when we receive a book on a new country. We have all learned so much-even the adults!

Each book has colorful illustrations throughout the pages. If You Were Me and Lived in Egypt was illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga. It is 28 pages long, with a helpful Pronunciation Guide at the back of each book.  Each book covers basic topics children would be interested to know about how other children of another country live. Topics such as school, money and shopping, names, landmarks,food, and sports.

We learned so much in If You Were Me and Lived in..Egypt! We really didn't know much about Egypt we realized quickly after beginning to read the book. I was surprised to learn that Egypt is a Transcontinental country, meaning it is located in both Africa and Asia!

These books would be a great resource for any family, especially homeschoolers! They would also make a great gift.

Learn more about the author and purchase her books at www.caroleproman.com

I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. 

Children's Book Review~The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly

About the Book: 
 The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, by Carmel Rivello
Publisher: Carmel Rivello Productions
ISBN 978-0996755108
Published October 2015
Pages: 50
SRP: $14.95 
Description from the Publisher: Hip and happening grandmother, children’s book author Carmel Rivello has just released her new book, The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly that connects the feelings of friendship and occasional loneliness inspiring children with a gentle introduction to ET’s that bring Bella, the bunny, joy, surprises and intergalactic travel. This book is the first in a series for children of all ages and a glimpse of the wondrous possible future that awaits humanity, reminding us that we are all connected. Through her acclaimed story, Carmel empowers children to be the best version of themselves. 

About the Author: 

 Carmel Rivello, mother, grandmother and author knew she had to write a book for children, after having the experience of making Contact with other cosmic cultures . The need for children to know about what the future holds for them , in a non-threatening and gentle way made this book happen. Ms. Rivello is a graduate of Cal Lutheran University, with a triple major in Drama, Art and Women's Experience. She taught Italian to her class ,studying the Art and Sculpture of the Renaissance , and enjoyed a wondrous trip to Italy, connecting with her family background. Her world travels enabled her to communicate with many diverse cultures, learning their languages, and understanding their customs. She is a much sought-after speaker to women groups, enjoys doing Voice-overs and presents to many Twelve step Recovery groups. She is a docent at the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks, CA. and spends time between there and Ojai, CA . Her children and grandchildren are her greatest treasures. Her partner, Gerald Barney inspires her daily to write,create,cook Italian dishes and garden. The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly is the first in a series of books, written to engage children in the wonders and mysteries of other cosmic cultures. Carmel is able to enjoy the gifts of being a senior, having "Chronological Credibility".

What I Thought: 

 After reading the description of The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, and seeing the cute cover art, I thought it would be a great book for me to read to my four-year-old grandson. The illustrations in the book are very bright and colorful, and my grandson enjoys looking at the pictures. The story itself, however, was too long for my grandson's attention span. There aren't pictures on every page-sometimes on every other page, but often not for three pages or more. Although the print is a little larger for early readers, it was just too much story for him in one sitting.  I could see reading a few pages each day instead. 

 Here is Daniel enjoying the pictures in the book. I liked the concept in the story of Bella the bunny being lonely, as Daniel is an only child and we adults can't play with him all day long.  Although I knew the story included extra terrestrial beings, it was a little too strong a part of the story for me. Besides that, the story was positive and uplifting. 

For more information on The Bunny and the Mysterious Butterfly, including links to purchase your own copy and a free download of a coloring book, www.carmelrivello.com

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review. 

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...Italy

Author Carole P. Roman has a great educational series for children titled If You Were Me and Lived In... (Fill in the blank with a country name): A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World. My family has all of the books in this series, and we love them!  They are educational, but also fun and so interesting! I always learn at least one thing new with each book.

The book I'm reviewing today in this series is If You Were Me And Lived In...Italy: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World, written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga. It is 28 pages long, with a handy pronunciation guide at the back of the book. Colorful illustrations are on at least every other page. The print is perfect for early readers, with not too much text on each page.

In If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy, we learned about where in the world Italy is, its capital, and its history. We learned about popular names for children, what they would call their parents and grandparents, and about their school.  Money, sports, food, and special holidays are also discussed. Each volume in the series covers these basic topics, which is great for consistency.

The If You Were Me and Lived In... series is great for any family to have, and a must-have for homeschooling families! I think the entire set of all of the books in the series would make a great gift for a child or family.  Both my 13-year-old son and 4-year-old grandson read the books, so I think the age surpasses the recommended age range of Preschool-4th grade. The Italy edition has been especially interesting for our family as our 21-year-old daughter is traveling to Italy this summer with a dance group!

In case you were wondering what new fact I learned in If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy, it is this: Rome is the only city in the world to have another country inside its borders! The Catholic Church is considered an independent state, and its capital, Vatican City, is located there. So, if you read these books with your children, you might learn a few new facts along the way!

Learn more about author Carole P. Roman and her books at her website, http://www.caroleproman.com/ . There are links there to purchase her books at Amazon. If You Were Me and Lived In...Italy is available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle.


*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~What Was I Thinking?Volume 1

               
                               

ABOUT THE BOOK:  What Was I Thinking? Volume 1: My Brainy Best Friend (ISBN 9780996849005) was written by Zac Lange. It is an 8x10 color casebound matte with 52 pages, and was published by Novel Notions Press. It is also available as a softcover (ISBN 9780996849012), and as an Ebook.

Description from the back cover: Come meet the REAL imaginary friend that we all have...As everyone who has ever been a kid knows, mistakes and accidents are a part of growing up. "What Was I Thinking?"is a series that examines and finds solutions to an endless list of experiences that are universal to both children and families using the incredible tool of brainpower. It is told from an engaging, humorous, and relatable perspective of a young boy in the process of figuring out his place in the world, and whose creative mind, Brain, is his own best friend.  "What Was I Thinking? Volume 1" encourages kids to celebrate their brains and their amazing potential. It also teaches the importance of using those powerful brains to think before acting, and the consider consequences both good and bad. Ultimately, the series wants to help kids be aware of their own thought processes, so they can make positive decisions for any given situation in their own lives. Hopefully, there will be fewer and fewer times when they have to ask themselves, "What was I thinking?"

WHAT I THOUGHT: When I first saw the description of What Was I Thinking?, I thought it was a great idea for a book for kids.  Once I received my copy and read it, I was happy that the content was just what I had hoped for. This book is great for kids in a wide age range to read and learn (or a reminder for older kids) that they have the choice to stop and think before acting. The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish, and on every page, perfect to draw kids in. The type is larger and simple, with only a sentence or two on each page, great for beginning readers.

 Although the suggested age range is 5-13, my four-year-old grandson Daniel (pictured above) got a lot out of the book. The timing was perfect. The day I received What Was I Thinking?, Dan had a problem pushing during class. As a consequence, he lost watching TV before bed. Instead, we read this book. He loved it! I think his favorite part was the baby brain in a diaper and bonnet. Reading What Was I Thinking was the perfect discussion starter. We discussed what had happened that day and how he could have stopped first to think about it. He wants to read the book every time he comes to my house, and the other day while driving in the car he wanted to review the Learning List verbally.  After this experience with him, I am even more impressed with What Was I Thinking? Volume 1 and author Zac Lange.

I highly recommend What Was I Thinking? Volume 1, and I'm excited  for future volumes. You can purchase your own copy at Outskirts Press.


*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Being A Captain is Hard Work!

Being a Captain is Hard Work is author Carole P. Roman's latest book in her Captain No Beard series. This adorable series for children has several titles already, and is illustrated by Bonnie Lemaire.

Book Description (from the back cover): Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won't listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What's a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew's with his single-minded determination to go where he wants?

What I Thought: My family has all of the books in the Captain No Beard series, and they are favorites. So, of course we were excited to receive Being A Captain is Hard Work! Once again, Carole P. Roman has produced a delightful story. There is always a moral to be learned, with lots of fun and some interesting facts as well! The characters are adorable, and the illustrations are colorful and whimsical. The amount and size of the words are perfect for younger early readers. In the back of Being A Captain is Hard Work is a Cloud Key, to teach kids about the different types of clouds. 

Being a Captain is Hard Work would make a wonderful gift for a child. You can learn more about the author's books and links to purchase them at her website, http://www.caroleproman.com/


*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever

The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant is an adorable children's book series written and photographed by Marci and Elle Fair.  The amazing thing is Elle Fair is only seven years old! What an awesome future she has ahead of her!

In each book, Ellie the Elephant and her friend Pudgy the Penguin have adventures and experience life situations. They have lots of fun, and learn a few things along the way. The topics highlighted are things most children encounter such as going back to school, and making new friends. Each book is  full of photographs of Ellie and Pudgy-a stuffed elephant and stuffed penguin-in their surroundings. There are also beautiful illustrations around the photos. Each page only has one or two sentences, perfect for early readers.

The newest book in the series is Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever (ISBN 978-0-9963635-2-5). Ellie and Pudgy go on a beach vacation together and have lots of fun making memories that will last forever. Above is a picture of my grandson Daniel, 4, looking at the book.  He has enjoyed all of the books in The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant series.

When I received Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever in the mail, I also had received a few other children's books. I put them in a stack, and when Daniel arrived at my house I told him some new books had arrived. He asked if we could read one, and I told him to pick one from the stack.  All of a sudden I heard him yell, "Ellie! A new Ellie book! I love Ellie!". So we read Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever right then, and then again that night at bed time. Daniel loves these books, and it encourages his imagination when he plays with his stuffed animals. I think he would be thrilled if I could find him his own stuffed Ellie and Pudgy!

You can purchase your own copy of Ellie's Best Beach Vacation Ever on Amazon in paperback or Kindle form.

Learn more about The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant at www.EllieAdventures.com
and on Facebook www.facebook.com/EllieAndPudgy   #elliesfriends

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...China

If You Were Me and Lived In...China is the newest addition to author Carole P. Roman's educational series for children that introduces them to culture around the world. Illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga, this book is 28 pages and includes a handy pronunciation guide.

My family has enjoyed several of the books in this series, and we were excited to learn more about China! Although written for children, I always learn something from this series! The text is perfect for the elementary school age, and the colorful illustrations catch younger children's attention as well. In this series, you can always count on learning about the capital, landscape, food, popular names, family, money, and holidays. It provides just enough information to peak a child's curiosity about that country. The pronunciation guide at the back of the book is helpful for children to practice the new words they have learned.

For more information about Carole P. Roman, including Amazon links for purchasing each of her books, visit her website.  You can also find her on Facebook.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Ellie Goes Back to School

About the book:
The Amazing Adventures of Ellie The Elephant – Ellie Goes Back To School by Marci and Elle Fair
ISBN: 9780996363501
Publisher: Pacochel Press
Date of publish: August 2015
Pages: 31
S.R.P.: $8.99

Ellie Goes Back to School is the third book in The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant by Marci and Elle Fair. In this story, Ellie the Elephant has moved to a new neighborhood and is nervous about her first day of school.  Her friend Pudgy the Penguin has been to the school before, but is still nervous about the first day. They end up having lots of fun, learn new things, and make new friends.

I really adore Ellie Goes Back to School and the other two books in the series.  They have bright, eye-catching illustrations and real-life pictures that catch children's attention. Each book has a situation that children could encounter, and makes them feel more comfortable about it. My grandson is about to go to preschool for the first time, so this book was perfect for us to read together! Daniel loves reading about Ellie and her friends, and it always inspires him to get out his stuffed friends and act out stories with them!

Great job to authors Marci Fair and Ellie Fair (Ellie is only eleven years old!) on a wonderful addition to their series!  Be sure to check out the website at www.EllieAdventures.com

 

About the author:
Marci Fair is a business owner and a mother of four who has worked in real estate for over twenty years. She and her husband own several real estate businesses, some which are ranked in the US.

In addition to her professional career, Marci is the founder of Kares 4 Kids, a nonprofit organization that has served more than 20,000 children in need since 2005. She is also the author of the award-winning book TILT: 7 Solutions to Be a Guilt-Free Working Mom, liberating other women with her hard-won wisdom—“Balance is impossible; memories are better.”

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review~The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant

Ellie Makes a New Friend is the first book in the series The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant.  The books in this series were written and photographed by author Marci Fair and her daughter Elle Fair (age 10). 

In Ellie Makes a New Friend, Ellie the Elephant moves to a new neighborhood.  She is still doing her favorite things, but now she is all alone while she does them.  She finds everything not as much fun without a friend.  So, she sets out to make a new friend and finds one at the playground.  Her new friend is a penguin named Pudgy, and together they have lots of fun!

In Ellie's First Plane Ride, Ellie the Elephant is going to visit her relatives, and her friend Pudgy the Penguin is traveling with her.  Pudgy likes to fly, but Ellie has never flown on a plane before and is nervous.  Pudgy helps her every step of the way!  They visit her relatives at the zoo, and have a wonderful adventure together!

 My Thoughts: As a mother, grandmother, and former homeschool teacher, good books for children have always been very important to me.  The books in this series are a wonderful addition to our library.  They are bright and colorful, and have actual pictures taken of the stuffed animals, rather than illustrations of them.  Along with the colorful, whimsical artwork on the pages, this combination is quite eye-catching! The pages have clear, larger, easy to read text for beginning readers, with just one or two sentences per page.

Here is my grandson Daniel, 3, enjoying Ellie's First Plane Ride.  We had recently taken one of his first plane trips together, so he related to the story. He is thoroughly captivated with both of these stories, and finds the real-life pictures fascinating.  We will be reading The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant stories often, and look forward to new volumes!

I am very impressed with this series and the two books I received for review. Books that combine fun with valuable lessons are my favorite!  The topics covered in these books are ones that children have to face, and reading these books would help with the transition. I think they are perfect for children and adults to share together, and would make a great gift!  It is wonderful to see that a ten year old is helping to create such creative stories!  What a great start for new author Elle Fair!

You can purchase your own copies of the Ellie the Elephant books at Amazon:
Ellie Makes a New Friend
Ellie's First Plane Ride

*Disclosure:  I received copies of these books free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review and Giveaway~A Flag For The Flying Dragon

My family has enjoyed the Captain No Beard series by author Carole P. Roman for the past few years.  A new adventure has arrived, and this book is titled, A Flag For The Flying Dragon.  In this installment, a new crew member has joined the crew-Zachary!  He's a baby, so as the crew is busy with their duties, they are having a hard time finding a job suitable for Zachary. The Captain also needs to find a flag for his ship.  Soon enough, the crew finds a solution to both problems, and everyone on deck has a job to do.  The crew learned to work together to solve problems.

The Captain No Beard books are a delightful series targeted to the preschool and kindergarten age range, but our 12-year-old son and the entire family enjoy reading them together. The sentences are short and easy to read, and there's just enough silliness to balance out learning an important lesson. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and simply adorable. My grandson (3), does not lose interest in these stories, and has read so many that he knows the characters well.  He is thrilled when a new book comes out.  Here he is reading A Flag For The Flying Dragon:

You can purchase your own copy of A Flag For The Flying Dragon at the author's website: www.caroleproman.com, or on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Also be sure to visit the author's Facebook page.

Giveaway!!!
I accidentally received two copies of A Flag For the Flying Dragon, so I am giving away my extra one!  Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  Winner will be notified by email within 24 hours of the contest end.  Winner will then have 48 hours to respond to the email, or a new winner will be chosen.  Must be 18 or older and a resident of the USA.



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*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review and Giveaway~Battle of the Grandmas

As an avid reader, books have always been an important part of my life.  As a mother, grandmother, and home educator of many years, one of my highest priorities has been finding good, quality books for children.  I'm talking about books that children delight in reading, and also impart a lesson or value.  I've discovered one of these great children's books in Battle of the Grandmas by author Anthonette Klinkerman.

In Battle of the Grandmas, a little girl has lots of grandparents, who live all over the country. Her Grandmas love to send her presents, and one day the three Grandmas sent the little girl the exact same book!  After that, the Grandmas were trying to outdo each other with the best toys, candy, and clothes they could find.  It got to be too much, and the little girl finally put a stop to it. She told her Grandmas that she would much rather have their time than all that stuff. So, the toys and clothes went to other children who needed them, and the little girl enjoyed the time and love her Grandmas gave her.

As you can tell from these pictures, my grandson Daniel loves Battle of the Grandmas!  It is 34 pages long, with half of the pages being delightful cartoon-like illustrations.  The illustrations were created by Justin Acquavella, a High School Senior!  The text is the perfect size for early readers, with just enough text on each page to not overwhelm.  As I said earlier, I LOVE when there is a lesson to be learned in a story, and in Battle of the Grandmas, the lesson is for kids and grandparents alike!  As a fairly new grandparent, I now understand that feeling of wanting to spoil my grandson.  But, I know that he just wants ME-my full attention, to play and make memories with him.

Anthonette Klinkerman is a public school teacher and public speaker.  She teaches English at a night high school for at-risk teens, and conducts her award-winning mobile etiquette school, Courtesy Bootcamp, for businesses during the days.  Battle of the Grandmas was written first, but is actually her second published book.  Her first book is titled Courtesy Bootcamp; a not-so-gentle reminder to live by The Golden Rule. 

Battle of the Grandmas is a Reader's Favorite Book Award Winner.  You can purchase your own copy of Battle of the Grandmas on Amazon.  Learn more about the book on its Facebook page, and visit the author at her website, www.courtesybootcamp.com .



GIVEAWAY!!!

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*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.   

Children's Book Review~The Misadventures of Yia Yia and Lucey

When I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to read it.  I am called Yia Yia (Grandma in Greek) by my grandson, as I was raised in a Greek family.  The Misadventures of Yia Yia and Lucey, by author Patricia M. Linaris, is a delightful book for older elementary age children and up.  Adults would enjoy it as well. 

The book is all letters written by the author to her grandchildren while they were away at camp and feeling homesick.  The author created fabulous, funny tales to make her grandkids (and their campmates) laugh.  Included in the crazy tales is the author's dog, Lucey.  Instead of chapters, the letters are in order by date.  At the back of the book are some extra letters sent as Thank You notes and to her Book Club members.

The Misadventures of Yia Yia and Lucey would be a great book for an older child and/or adult.  It is light, fun reading.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~You Oughta See Me Naked

When I saw the title and description of this book: You Oughta See Me Naked, Life after eighty-a seriously funny report from the slippery slope, by Ed Bartlett, I knew I had to read it!  I also knew I had to pass it on to my parents.  They are both in their eighties, and the past several years I often hear from them that they look in the mirror and don't know who is staring back at them!  They feel young still, and tell me of all the sagging and other things that happen at this stage of life.  So I knew they would appreciate this book!

Author Ed Bartlett is a talented writer who has led an interesting life.  This is his autobiography, and tells how he got where he is today, as well as life as an octogenarian.  It is funny at times, and serious at others.  How wonderful to be able to look back with such a sense of humor.   You Oughta See Me Naked reminds you to find humor in the little things, and appreciate every step of the way.  I just passed this book along to my parents, and hope they enjoy it!

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Children's Book Review~Fribbit the Frog and the Tadpoles

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is the latest book in the Captain No Beard children's series, written by author Carole P. Roman.  My family and I have already enjoyed several of the books in this series, and Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is a delightful addition! 

In this story, Fribbet the frog is upset!  Things are changing at his house, and he doesn't know what to do!  There are hundreds of new little tadpoles at his house, and they are loud and take up all his parents' time.  His friends help him understand that he can always share his troubles with them, and that siblings can be wonderful! 

The Captain No Beard stories encourage children to use their imaginations, and in each story there are valuable lessons to be learned.  Children are reminded of important values and character traits that we parents want to instill in them.  The stories are in type that would be appropriate for elementary school age reading level, and the colorful, whimsical illustrations capture children's attention.  Both my sixth grade son and three-year-old grandson adore the Captain No Beard books.  I do too!

To learn more and purchase your own copy of Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles, visit http://www.caroleproman.com/ .  You can also visit the author on Facebook. 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review~The Great Grammar Book

I have always enjoyed Grammar, and considered myself to be good at knowing all the rules.  It has always driven me crazy when people use the wrong their/there and your/you're.  I received The Great Grammar Book: Mastering Grammar Usage and the Essentials of Composition by Marsha Sramek.  This is the Second edition-the First edition was very successful, selling over 20,000 copies to the general public as well as to many education programs.

The book is laid out well and easy to read.  It begins with a 100 question Diagnostic Test, which I took.  I was so surprised!  I did not do as well as I thought I would!  I had a big problem with it's/its and a few other rules.  I then started going through the book.  In each chapter, there are definitions, explanations, examples, exercises, and Chapter reviews. 

The topics covered in The Great Grammar Book are:
* Subject-Verb Agreement
* Common Errors
* Pronouns
* Capital Letters
* Using Apostrophes Correctly
* Complete Sentences
* Punctuation
* Commas
* Irregular Verbs
* Usage Glossary
* Double Negatives
* Successful Writing Strategies

There is also an Appendix with Answer keys, and an Index at the back of the book.  I especially found useful the Usage Glossary, covering a variety of topics used in everyday life.  The Successful Writing Strategies is also a very useful Chapter.

I am  very impressed with The Great Grammar Book, and plan to use it this summer with my son, who is in Middle School.  This would be a great book for adults to brush up on those things that fade as the years go by and you get stuck in bad habits! 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived in...Hungary

Author Carole P. Roman has a wonderful series for children that introduces them to culture around the world.  The most recent book in the series that I reviewed is If You Were Me and Lived In...Hungary.  In this book, a girl and boy from Hungary tell you all about their country.  First they show you where Hungary is on a globe and map, and tell you about the capital city and other landmarks. 

Next, they share what names are popular for boys and girls, and what you would call your parents.  They also talk about toys, money,  and fun places to go.  You stop by their Nagy's (Grandma's) house and see what she is cooking.  They also tell you about a hero and holidays they have, as well as popular sports and school.  At the back of the book is a pronunciation guide. 

My family has enjoyed all of the books in this series.  They are a great way to teach kids in a fun and easy manner about other countries.  I always learn at least one thing (but usually more) in every book!  For example, in If You Were Me and Lived In...Hungary I learned that the Rubik's Cube was invented in Hungary!  This series is great to add to your family's book collection, perfect for homeschoolers, and would make a great gift. 

You can learn more about author Carole P. Roman and her books at her website. 


*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived In...Scotland

If You Were Me and Lived In...Scotland: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World is a great book for children of all ages.  Author Carole P. Roman has done a wonderful job with this series, taking kids around the globe to learn about other cultures and customs. 

First, you see a globe and map of Scotland and learn what the capital and other important cities are.  You learn common names for boys and girls, and what you would call your mother and father.  Next you learn about food, sports, schools, and myths in Scotland.  At the back of the book is a handy pronunciation guide.

This series is a big hit with my family-even the adults enjoy reading them, and we always learn something new.  The illustrations are always bright and colorful.  If You Were Me and Lived in...Scotland is a great addition to our family's library. 

About the book:
If You Were Me and Lived in … Scotland by Carole P. Roman
ISBN: 978-1500531331
Publisher: CreateSpace
Date of publish: January 2015
Pages: 34
S.R.P.: $9.99

 

About the author:
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the If You Were Me and Lived in… series, which won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. She collaborated on this installment in the series with her five-year-old grandson, Alexander. Roman also writes the Captain No Beard series, the first of which was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Remarkable Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Visit her website at www.caroleproman.com

 

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Children's Book Review~If You Were Me and Lived In...Greece

My family and I have been enjoying Carole P. Roman's series that introduces children to other cultures around the world.  I was especially excited to receive If You Were Me and Lived In...Greece because I come from a Greek family (you may have already figured that out by my name-Athena).  I have never been to Greece, but have heard so many stories and enjoy learning about our family's heritage. 

If You Were Me and Lived In...Greece starts out with two Greek children showing where Greece is on a map, and discussing Athens, the capital.  The kids discuss what popular names are for boys and girls, and what you would call your parents and grandparents.  My husband and I have continued on our family's tradition and we are Yaya and Papou to our grandson.  I love being a Yaya! 

Continuing on in the book, you learn about what currency is used in Greece and what toys you may buy with your money.  The children tell you what is good to eat in Greece, and popular attractions you would take visitors to.  The Olympics are discussed, school, and holidays.  At the back of the book is a very handy pronunciation guide. 

The If You Were Me and Lived In... series is wonderful for families.  It would make a great addition to homeschool curriculum as well.  Although it is written for children, our entire family has learned so much by reading this series!  It has color illustrations on every page, and is written in a type perfect for school age children to read. 

You can learn more about author Carole P. Roman and her books at her website.  You can purchase If You Were Me and Lived In...Greece at Amazon.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.