The text of the book explains in real language that doesn’t talk down to a child.  The book was written by Pam Rosenberg and she does a wonderful job of answering the question of how the end product, ice cream, goes from raw product, to the wonderful delight on the desert wish list of most children. 

       Through both mouth watering pictures and words designed to lead from one thought concept to another about what has to happen to turn milk into ice cream…the reader is left with an understanding of how that happens. 

        I like that Pam Rosenberg inspires the reader to ask questions of those people in the everyday life of the reader who may play a part in a manufacturing process.   Those people may include a farmers who produce raw products, to a trucker who delivers raw or finished products, to a factory worker who works on an assembly line or, maybe even a grocery worker who stocks the product, or a cashier who sells the ice cream.

       I like the fact that this book also has a list of glossary terms to help young readers understand words that may not be in their vocabulary as well as a page of websites and other resources on the subject.  There are 24 pages and the reading level is for children grades 2-4. 

        Those examples in manufacturing open the eyes of a child to the world around them…not only for ice cream products; but , also to open their eyes to other manufactured products, and jobs or potential careers that may be in their future.

          This children’s picture book was published by: http://www.cherrylakepublishing.com  in Ann Arbor, Michigan; copyrighted in 2010. 

       There are some behaviors that the young man, Dylan, does that confuse Mackenzie Mackabee.  He sits and swings alone for long periods of time.  He covers his eyes and his ears for no apparent reason.  He doesn’t seem to smile or talk back when any other students talk to him.  One day, the kids are playing soccer when out of the blue, the young man runs and takes the ball and continues running.  The kids are upset thinking that he is trying to stop their game.

       Mackenzie consults her teacher about her questions regarding young Dylan’s behavior.  The teacher is thrilled to have an opportunity to explain that Dylan has Autism and how that affects him.  She explains that she is sure that Dylan isn’t trying to stop their game or trying to be a bully. 

       You will have to read the wonderful story to see how the situation is resolved and how a little understanding can go a long way to helping others to include someone who is a bit different from themselves.  This is a wonderfully written book and the colorful pictures on the pages help to show how students can learn about one another and appreciate their differences.   The emotions of the characters are reflected in the artwork so that the reader can empathize with the characters in the story. 

        I think this is a wonderful story book for any classroom setting; but, especially any classroom that may include special needs students who may be struggling to feel acceptance from their peers.   The author of the story is Julie Coe and the illustrator is Sondra Brassel; the story was inspired by the children of Jennifer Maloni.  I like the fact that these women intend for this book to make a difference in how children see another child who is a bit different from themselves and appreciate and include them in their social lives!   There are even some great activities to promote positive interaction between children who are living with Autism or any other challenge that sets them apart from their peers and others who are in their daily lives.   After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to feel like they fit or belong with others in the peer group.  Pick up this book and let it be an inspiration to teachers, students and families everywhere!

        The book can be purchased at:  http://www.amazon.com

      Nancy Bourke, the author, tells of her inspiration for writing Dandelion Bubbles; it was a spring day at the park with her son who was three years old at the time.  Mother and son were blowing the white fluffy dandelion flowers into the wind when her son called them dandelion bubbles.  Those words inspired the title of the poem that she wrote the next day…it also became the title of the book.  The book became a family project as Nancy’s husband Kevin Bourke took some of the photos that were published in the finished book.   Speaking of the photos, the feel and ambience of the words is captured visually through the skilled photos between the covers of the book.

     The book, Dandelion Bubbles, reacquaints the reader with the feelings of their childhood when everything that they witnessed about the world around them filled them with excitement.  A child’s joy is contagious.  Adults need to merely listen to the words of a child to be inspired to find their own appreciation of the seasons and the environment.  The poems in this book, written for young readers ages birth to approximately seven years of age, will encourage your child to describe the world around them in ways that will fill you with amazement; and, remind you to enjoy the world around you.   I highly recommend this book for you to share with some special young reader who holds your heart in their hands.

       If you would like to purchase this book you can go to Nancy’s website here:  http://www.dandelionbubbles.com/home.html or you can purchase the book at: http://www.amazon.com .   This book was received by me from the author as a free review copy.

        There are some really great kid friendly sidebars that include suggestions for certain vegetables and even the occasional recipe.  There are vegetable facts such as which vegetable is good for your brain, which one for your eyesight and even which vegetables are good for your heart.  There is information about how many fruits or vegetables people should eat to stay healthy. 

         This book may even inspire some young readers to want to grow some of their own vegetables in a garden.  The pictures really help to explain the process.  I highly recommend this book for ages 4-10 years of age.  It was well done.

          All About Vegetables was copyrighted in 2009 by QEB Publishing, Inc.    You can visit their website here:  http://www.qeb-publishing.com

        The book starts off asking the question who is on the yellow bus that pulls away on a drizzly day!  This book is great for young preschoolers who are just learning the joys of co-operative, imaginative play together.  The children use their imaginations to ride the bus, to pretend to ride the fire engine, put out fires, and save people.   The use their imaginations to travel to the jungle and become dinosaurs, bears, clowns , knights and princesses and march in a musical band.

         What child could resist the words and imagery and cry out…there’s nothing to do MOM?  I like this book and I think most parents and children will too.   The book gently reminds everyone to clean up and do their share. 

           Kids Like Us was published in 2008 by Viking, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group.  You can visit their site here:  www.penguin.com/youngreaders .   Enjoy!

        Through the illustrations and comfort bringing ideas; children are given ways to help them process the time without the parent who is gone serving the country.  The words of longing speak from the heart which gives the reader the impression that they are not alone in how they feel.  The story talks of connections through words and deeds which can make the parent child relationship stay strong.  Most of all, by the end of the story it gives the reader hope that a glad reunion is coming to him or her and their family. 

         The sacrifice that military families make for the security of our country is real and can be destructive if not handled properly.  This picture book can help a young child to understand the situation and to help heal the feelings of sadness, loneliness, anger, loss and anxiety. 

          While You Are Away was illustrated by Renee Graef.  It is realistically and beautifully done.  Each page evokes true emotion and a visual picture of what someone in this situation may be experiencing.  The colors are comfy and subdued.  I highly recommend this book.  It was published by hyperion books for children in 2004.  You can view their site at:  http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com

         There are chapters on Hiking, Camping, Wildlife, Mini-Wildlife, Plant Life, Exploring The Shore, and Night Life.  Each chapter has activities, helpful hints, photographs and exploratory ideas.  It is so interesting in fact that I do believe a child looking for something to do will find it between these pages and not even realize that they are learning valuable information! 

           While the book fosters the idea of exploring the world we live in it also instills practical and solid information about the proper ways to do so; keeping safety and conservation in mind.  I really like how the book teaches kids to practice independent outdoor skills but also, instills the wisdom of keeping adults involved and informed about the activities.

           This book is a few years old, it was published in 2003 by Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co, Inc.    It was written by Joe Rhatigan  and the  photographs were taken by John Widman.

        The book has a map of the United States and we do use it to travel to get the supplies that we need to make our cherry pie.  Step by step the author teaches us to use some critical thinking to solve the problem of getting what we need.  She takes us to states that have interesting facts and natural resources that when we put them to use will allow us to get the items that are needed for pie making.  We really do see what the country has to offer us as we travel.

         The illustration is colorful and fun.  Who knew that there was so much activity required to make a cherry pie?  This children’s picture book was published by Alred A Knopf in 2008.  You can visit their website here:  http://www.randomhouse.com/kids . 

         Soon, the story telling room was transformed into a place that celebrated their Spanish culture in an environment that had previously seemed so cold and foreign to them having coming from a tropical island.  This story is written in both English and Spanish.  It is rich in history, in emotion and in culture.   Mrs. Belpre puts on a fiesta complete with a parade, dances and a play.  She uses puppets in her story telling at school which is where the children first learned about her work at the library.   I think adults and children alike will enjoy it.The illustrations are realistic and golden and represent the latino culture well.  The pictures take us back in time and show what New York City was like back then.

         It was written by Lucia Gonzalez and illustrated by Lulu Delacre.  It was published by Children’s Book Press in 2008.  You can see their website here:  http://www.childrensbookpress.org .

       Mom clearly is telling Leo that there are times that she has to say no; however, Leo feels very put upon because he isn’t being allowed to do what he wants.  He resents the word no and he resents being told no by his mother.  In fact, Leo hates the word no.  Finally, in an overflow of emotion…Leo mistakenly tells his mother that he hates her.  He instantly regrets it and mom feels she must teach Leo the difference between hating things and circumstances; and, telling people that he hates them. 

           The pictures in this picture book are designed well to show the activities and the emotions that the characters are feeling.  The feelings that Leo feels are intense and so this book uses a really great true to life situation to be a teachable moment.   Leo not only says something wrong, he chooses to act out while he is angry; which gets him told no once more.   Leo has made a mistake and by talking things through learns how to correct his error and make things right.  Mom shows that even when mistakes are made, there is forgiveness to be had.  She shows love to her child even when he has done wrong.  I think this book will be a wonderful way to use a book meant to educate and entertain to also help build an opportunity for character building.  I think kids from 2-10 can benefit from this book and enjoy it as well.

          The author of the book is Robie H. Harris.  She has a website here:  http://www.robieharris.com/ .  The illustrator of the book is Molly Bang.  Her website is here:  http://www.mollybang.com/ .  The book was published by Little, Brown and Company in 2008.  Their website is:  http://www.lb-kids.com .