lindz's reviews
851 reviews

I Celebrate My Skin by Nonku Kunene Adumetey

4.5

I Celebrate My Skin is an excellent book to have on any child bookshelf. This book teaches the lesson of accepting yourself and being comfortable in your skin. It also talks about the different skin tones and how it is okay to be different.

Everyone is different and looks different. But accepting other skin tones is a good thing. There are many different skin tones in the world. This book teaches children about colorism, learning about their skin, and feeling comfortable with it.

The images are well done. They are colorful. Celebrating your skin is essential as it is what God created for you. This book also wants children or a child to celebrate love and being themselves and in their skin. The author does an outstanding job. In a time like today, this book stands needed to teach everyone that being yourself and being in your skin is good. It is an excellent way to learn to accept others who are different from you.

There are some activities in the back of the book to help children with colors and skin tone colors. Can they match their skin tone with the different skin tones in the book? There are quite a few different shades of them. Can you compare your skin to one in the book, and what name of the skin tone do you have. It is an excellent way for parents to help talk to their children or a child about skin tones. 

A Valentines Breakfast in Bed by Roger Carlson

inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

A Valentine's Breakfast in bed is a sweet story. It shows how the kids love their parents by making breakfast in bed on this special day. This book is excellent for showing love and showing that Valentine's day is for all types of love. Children will learn that Valentine's day is not just for the couple but for all those that we love.

This story is well done. The family in this story is a different one and different ethnicity. I enjoyed that as the author wants to show diversity. This one is good for this book and still has a black history month relation. I do not know if that stood to be that. I love that he has done so. It can stand shown that way and what this memorable holiday in the middle of February is all about.

The pictures are colorful. The story is mainly set on the two children making breakfast for their parents for this special day. They show it by making a few breakfast food for them. How will they enjoy the day with their mom and dad?

This book also will help children learn rhyming and some kindness and love. Parents will enjoy having this book along with the rest of the series on their bookshelves. They can read along with their children. 

Olive and the Valentine's Spell by Helen Millman

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I have come across another decent book about the upcoming holiday named Valentine's Day. Children seem to know what this holiday is about. But if you are looking for one that overcomes a child or children's fear. "Olive and the Valentine's Spell" is a good one. Olive feels that Valentine's day means getting married and a few other things as he tells his feelings to his mom. She wants to help fight with him. Olive seems to have to get rid of all his fun stuff at five years. He thinks he got to do some grown-up things.  

Will Olive overcome his fears and enjoy the holiday. Will he see this holiday like any other day and there will be no love. Then maybe love comes in many different forms. Will Olive realizes that and wants this memorable holiday to stick around.

Olive seems confused at the beginning and will let his fears run wild. Children will learn that Valentine's day is a special day for couples. But it also showed what love is and how it can be. It also teaches about overcoming your fear. A parent can help children with reading this book. This book shows that love is essential, which is why we celebrate it. 

Cindi's Chocolate Valentine by Beverley Reichman, Janine Rhodes

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

You are looking for a lovable animal book for your child or children. Cindi's Chocolate Valentine does a beautiful job of showing your child that changing your mind about liking a holiday or not. It does it through a dog getting dressed up and learning what Valentine's day is.

Though Cindi is unsure what Valentine's day is or what is going on. She has paraded around with her buddy, Pitty Pat, and is outfitted together. She does not seem to like it one bit. But will Cindi change her mind?

The pictures are done well. You can find a way to enjoy a holiday or find out what you're unsure about and decide to change your mind. Maybe meeting someone new is hard, and that someone does something to help transform your mind about it. The pictures are colorful. Ever feel like something you did but did not like at first. Maybe something made you change your mind. That's okay to change your mind.

Cindi's Chocolate Valentine is a fun and enjoyable book; It just likes some suitable lessons to teach children or a child. Parents will enjoy this book as well. It is a quick and easy read. This book will show you, love, though animals, what Valentine's day is about. 

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

adventurous challenging emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Are you a history buff or a fan of historical fiction? Are you learning about World War II before the Americans entered the war? Desire to find out more about Nazi Germany and what Hitler did in France. Well, this book “Until Leaves Fall in Paris” by Sarah Sundin will take you on a lovely adventure and danger of two people trying to flee and get home save to America.

At this point, we have to meet Lucille and Paul. Will they learn to work together and see if they are made for each other? Will Lucie’s friends influence her to stay away from the new friend she meets and enjoy the company of?

Hitler and Germany are now really somewhat abetted in Paris, France. Is America still unaligned, or are they getting ready to jump in and fight? Both Paul and Lucie have stayed in Paris for two different reasons. The other was convinced to remain; and help the US, while the other chose to help her fled friends.

We are dealing with more resistant and some Germans. The Germans are occupying more of Parisians. Lucille and Paul are doing some dangerous work. Will they be found out?

Paul seems to have detected bad things in his factory. But Will his worker blackmail him? Lucille finds out Paul is working for the US. Paul finds out the bookseller is involved. 

What will happen to Josie? Will they all get out safely? 

Helping Hats by Regina C. Brown

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Are you looking for another community-based book that talks about the heroes that are in your child or children's hometown neighborhood? There are some important jobs and careers in your neighborhood that will help your child or children learn about.

Helping Hats is a good one with that. However, it is for older children to read. Parents can read this book to their child or children; They can help with reading the book. The pictures made done well. They describe what the person is trying to say and show through the different things our heroes do or need to do to help us.

Helping Hats shows our hometown heroes, from farmers to firefighters, in a job or career. The book helps to teach and show how hard work and dedication are for a job or a career. What a life is for each hero in our lives to help feed us or save us; Even to teach us. Can your child or children come up with some hometown heroes in your neighborhood? Maybe they can appreciate all their work and understand many different kinds of heroes through various careers. 

Hello! Hometown Heroes by Toni Armier

adventurous inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

You are looking to introduce your child or children to your hometown heroes in your neighborhood. Well, “Hello! Hometown Heroes” helps to introduce these heroes that could be into your community. These heroes are just ordinary people.

This book is inclusive and represents any child or children; It could be anyone’s neighborhood. The book is a gentle rhyming book. It is suitable for young readers to enjoy and learn to read. The books are ideal for toddlers to hold as the book thickness stands made of a strong board book.

I enjoyed the pictures as they are colorful and enjoyable to look at. This book takes you on a tour of the neighborhood. Meet different heroes throughout the book. You can be heroes to be kind and friendly to your neighbors and say hello. Can your child or children tell you who are heroes in your hometown? Who do you think is a hometown hero in your neighborhood? I believe there are many. Some mentioned in this book are firefighters, teachers, and construction workers. Maybe a librarian is a hometown hero for you or your child. Toddlers can hold and look at this book as well. It is a sturdy book for all children, from toddlers to young readers. 

A Celebration of Winter in Rhyme by Roger Carlson

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

A Celebration of Winter is a book about Winter and its fun activities and holidays we celebrate during the season. This book goes along with the others in the series. Children will learn all about the Winter and learn to rhyme. They can learn to read with this book as well. It is pretty easy to read and enjoyable.

What fun activities can your child or children do during the Winter? What can they do for fun in the cold or snow? You will enjoy the family get-together. Children can enjoy decorating for a unique visitor during this holiday season. They will also probably enjoy getting the house decorated for Christmas.

This book also talks about Winter. The way it is the last season of the holiday before it starts all over again. Children will learn that each season is three months long. December starts the winter season and ends in February. Children will discover that there are four seasons in a year. The images created did well.

They capture the season and the meaning of this book. What are some of your child or children's favorite winter activities or traditions during the winter months? What things will you and your child or children do during the winter season? 

If Puppies Had Pockets by Lyn Willy

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Are you looking for an adorable book to read to your toddler or child? Well, If Puppies Had Pockets is a good one to get. It is cute and cute. It shows your child or children about some teachable moments like sharing. It can show who a puppy or dog would be willing to share and show its love to you or your children.

This book has some rhyming. What would you do if puppies had pockets? What would they have in their pockets? You could ask your child or children what they think their puppy or puppies would have in their pockets if they had them. It seems to me to be set on imagination and sharing and talking about love.

The book stood created to be held by toddlers and children. It is thick enough for them to turn the pages. It is a short and easy read; Your child can learn to read with this. The pictures are cute; I love the images in this book. Children and adults will enjoy this book. If you are a dog or animal person, this book is for you and your family. Parents should put it on their child's bookshelves, or their grandparents could get it for their grandchildren. 

A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A Christmas in the Alps is a lovely and enjoyable story set for Christmas. You will find yourself wanting to find out more about the two main characters exploring France. This book is set during and takes place mainly in France around Christmas.

We meet Simone while she is cleaning out her great grandma's house. Her friend found a letter and read it to Simone. The letter starts Simone on her journey to discover her great-grandma's treasure and heritage. Will she find more than that? Will she overcome her flying fear? She meets Kyle during her flight from Seattle to France.

This story is doing a bit of genealogy and a bit of romance. So far, it is excellent. It looks like Simone has made at least two friends. There seems to be a mystery going on as well at this point. Is Leon's Aunt related to Simone's Great-grandma, or does she know anything about her Great Grandpa rescued during WW2?

Will Kyle and Simone find love with each other? Will Simone find the true treasure and family? There seems to be a family feud or a rift in a relationship. Can Simone find a solution and fix the relationship with her great aunt? To this end, you will want to read more from this author. Melody Carlson will bring you in to enjoy the culture of her lovely books and Christmas books. This one is no different.