​​​ Genius Journal: Stem Edition
Written by Karen O’Leary
Age/Grade Level: None suggested. I suggested one below.
 
​Do you have a child who loves to read, think, and do? This is the perfect book for  him/her. I’ve only looked at the STEM Editionbut I’m assuming that the others are written similarly.
 
The STEM edition is set up in 7 sections. Each section starts with a quote that’s followed by a series of activities. These range from thoughtful questions like what would you do, why , or describe.
 
There are also writing opportunities for acrostic poems, a letter, a list, a story, or jokes. You can respond with a math problem, a design project, or in a maze. There are even opportunities  to explain or imagine. These could be done in words or drawings. Altogether there are more than 50 prompts to respond to with unique and creative ideas.
 
The age level? I  think it’s for any child who likes to read or write. This is a journal your child can make their own. I looked across the other Genius Journals, and the comments were all from parents/grandparents with 10/11 year olds, but I think this is a great possibility for any reader/writer from Kindergarten up.
 
There are 3 other journals: Hopes & Dream, Friendship, and Teacher Edition. If I were still teaching, I would love to use this for kids who always finish early and want something meaningful to do. This is it!

Santa's Gift
Written by Angie Karcher
Illustrated by Dana Karcher
Grade Level:  3 – 4

Can you imagine growing up with a 35-foot town Santa who disappears one day? You didn’t notice him fading away, but somebody did, and they sent Santa off to the junkyard. Fortunately someone else noticed and started a program to ‘Stand Santa Back Up.”
Santa’s gift is written in verse so it’s a fun read aloud, but my favorite part is that it’s a great example of how working together can solve problems.

​ Bird Count
Written by Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level:  K – 2
 
Have you heard of a Christmas Bird Count? I hadn’t, but the Audubon Society does one every year, and author Susan Richmond has been counting birds for 14 of them. She is the perfect person to tell the story of Ava, bird lover and girl citizen scientist.

The Christmas Bird Count has 3 rules: 1. Count every bird you hear or see. 2. At least 2 people must see or hear each bird. 3. The hardest – you can only count a bird once. If you think you’ve seen or heard it before, you can’t count it again.

Want to learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, read the back matter. It’ll tell you more about each bird and how to join the count.

Rhino? What Rhino?
​Written by Caryl Hart
Illustrated by Sarah Horne
Age Level: 3 - 5
Grade Level:  Preschool – Kindergarten

This was one of the first books I read when I started keeping a journal of the new children’s books I was reading. I guess it’s been awhile! Rhino was published back in 2012, but my notes reminded me what I loved about it.
 
The story is told in verse, and it’s  good to the last rhyme!The plot? Rhino escapes from the zoo and hides out on a farm. There are no zookeepers so Rhino takes whatever he wants. His life is perfect, but it’s not so great for the other farm animals. They get blamed for  every single thing Rhino takes. They decide to teach  Rhino a lesson, and a few manners. This story is pure fun! I hope you check it out!

The Best Seat in Kindergarten
Written by Katherine Kenah
Illustrated by Abby Carter
Age Level: 4  - 8
Grade Level:  P – 3
 
This would be a great first day of school book, but it’s also something more. It’s about the power of friendship, of helping others. The first day of school finally arrives, and  his teacher takes the class outside for a nature walk. The assignment – find something and bring it back for show-and-tell. Guess who  finds the best thing of all? Sorry, you’ll have to read to find out what Sam found.
 
PS – this is a sequel to Katherine’s 2006 book, The Best Seat in Second Grade.
 

​Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton
Written and Illustrated by Don Tate
Age Level: 6 – 10
Grade Level:  Preschool – 3
​
How does a little boy born into slavery in North Carolina become a poet? Read this quiet story to find out how. When George grew up, slaves weren’t allowed to learn to read. George knew his ABC’s and he taught himself to read using an old spelling book. This is a great story to teach, not preach, the value of literacy. Read on to see how he made his first sale. It’s a great story! George did well enough that he tried to buy his freedom, but his master refused. I’m so glad he didn’t pay the man a dime. He got his freedom after the Civil War.

I was also fascinated with the author’s note. It tells Don’s story as an African-American, how he left shame behind by telling George’s story, and found pride in what slaves endured and accomplished. Don tells you about life in  North Carolina in the mid1800’s, and why George succeeded. Don’s last page gives credits to those who helped him put this story together. He told about his journey from inspiration to research, to editing and the critique partners who assisted him in writing and illustrating. If you’re fascinated like I am with what it takes to publish a book, you wil love this part of the story.  

​Even Monsters Need to Sleep
Written by Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level:  P – 3

​Learn More: While his Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet, his home is in India. This one’s gonna get political: When Tibet was invaded by China in 1950, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, assumed political power and tried to rectify the situation with Beijing. He even traveled to the capital to meet with Mao Zedong in 1954, but by 1959, Chinese troops aggressively suppressed the Tibetan uprising, and the Dalai Lama was forced into exile. This is why he now calls Dharamsala, India, home.

​​Bonaparte Falls Apart
Written by Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Will Terry
Age Level: 3 - 7
Grade Level:  P – 2

​This is a great read, even after Halloween. Poor Bonaparte! His bones are falling apart. His best friends, Franky Stein, Black Widow, and Mummicula, they try to help, but their ideas are just boneheaded. This story has the best ending. Hint – Think bones, then read it for yourself. I don’t need a crystal ball to predict you’ll love it!

Dress Me Up!
Written and Illustrated by Maria Carluccio
Age Level: 5 and up
Grade Level:  P – Up

I bought this book at a writer’s conference,. I’d already bought 6 books for my grandgirl, and she isn’t even born yet, but I couldn’t resist this book. It’s so unusual - I had to get it.
 
The character changes from board to board. Pick your character, then  dress  them up by choosing patterns from the other side of the book. It is so much fun! I hope this book will keep my grandgirl busy and happy flipping and flapping during church.
 
If you need something fun  to keep a little one busy - peek inside . . .

If Kids Ruled the World
​Written Linda Bailey
Illustrated by David Huyck
Age Level: 3 - 7
Grade Level:  P – 2

I loved, loved, loved this book! It’s about what could happen if kids ruled the world. The author and illustrator still  know how to have fun, and that’s what this book is full of. Bring your imagination, and your inner child. Then enjoy! I did! I bet if kids ruled the world, there’d be chocolate for every meal. I’m an adult now, but I’m embracing my inner child. Imagine what fun the right parent or teacher could have with this book and their favorite kids!