​I Want to be a Vase
Written by Julio Torres
Illustrated by Julian Glander
Age Level: 3 - 8
Grade Level: PS – 3

​THIS is a very unusual book. Plunger, the toilet kind, wants to be a vase. Living life as  a plunger is just OK, but it has bigger dreams, better ones. Somehow plunger finds a way to become a vase. You’ll have to read to find out how, and it inspires everything in the house to change jobs. The BIG theme in this book—doing the job you’re meant to do; not the job others assign you.

​Mr. Goat’s Valentine
Written by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by Kevin Zimmer
Age Level: 5 - 7
Grade Level: K – 2

A cover is a promise, and this one delivered way more than I expected. The pages are filled with bright colors. Add in words, and the story is pure fun.
 
Goats are known for eating anything, so Eve Bunting must have had a ball plotting what Mr. Goat would give his first love. I didn’t have a clue who it was until the very end…It was the best kind of surprise! If you’re looking for a valentine read that’s totally fun, this is it!

The Princess and …The Peas and Carrots
Written by Harriet Ziefert
Illustrated by Travis Foster
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: P – 3

This story is so cute! Dad calls his daughter Princess Rosebud. Her Mom, Princess Fussy because she is. When Rosebud throws one tantrum too many over peas and carrots, she’s sent to her room. Would you believe she throws things too?
 
There is a happy ending. Rosebud actually eats the peas and carrots…when they’re not touching. Then Dad reads a bedtime story. Would you believe it’s about a princess and a pea, or that the bedtime story folds out for you too?
 
The sad part, this book is out of print; it was published back in 2012. The good part, you can buy it as a used book for half price, AND its author has already published 514 titles! I would definitely check her out and this book too!

​Fishing with Grandpa and Skye
Written by Candace Spizzirri
Illustrated by Beverly Love Warren
Age Level: 5 - 8

If you love fishing with someone special, this book is perfect for you! It’s Grandpa and Skye day, and they’re going fishing. The sweet and salty text and illustrations are perfect for this fish-tale. Grandparents and kids will love the catch-of-the-day! The best part . . .  it’s based on the author’s time fishing with her Grandpa Henry.

​Ned the Knitting Pirate
Written by Diana Murray
Illustrated by Leslie Lammie
Age Level: 6 - 9
Grade Level: 2 – 3

The pirates of the Rusty Heap don’t like the looks of  Nick…He knits. They poke fun at his needles. They sing about being tougher than barnicle grit, because they don’t knit. They pester Nick to quit. When he finally does, the unbelievable happens…Knitting saves the day. How? Read and find out! Pirate-loving kids will love this story!

​Trusty Town Hall
Written by & Illustrated by Lindsay Ward
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: PS - 3

The book’s first spread was too busy for me, but there’s a reason…it sets up the rest of the story. The other spreads show young readers the elements that make up their community. From government to voting, recycling to community services, these pieces all work together to support families. Best of all this book is interactive. It’s a great choice for classrooms and homeschoolers.
 
PS—If you like this book, it’s part of a series. Check out the four other titles. 

​One Proud Penny
Written by Randy Siegel
Illustrated by Serge Bloch
Age Level: 4 - 8
Grade Level: PS - 2

This is a classic review. For social media I wrote…

Make sense out of cents while this book is still around. If the penny is disappearing, books about them probably are too. Check out this one before it’s going…going…gone!

Just click the link below to read my review.
 
                          Link:  https://www.rindabeach.com/my-reads/review-of-one-proud-penny

Supermoms! Animal Heroes
Written by Heather Lang
Illustrated by Jamie Harper
Age Level: 4 - 10
Grade Level: P - 2

Who knew nonfiction could be so much fun?! Meet eighteen animal supermoms who are so well researched, yet fun, all thanks to the illustrations. They’re a blast to read with humor and character mixed inside the speech bubbles.

Don’t forget the back matter…It includes where each animal lives, what they eat, plus one quirky fact about them. You’ll also find great children’s books, online and audiovisual resources, author /illustrator websites, and acknowledgements to the people and places who fact checked the book.

                  If you want more, check out the next book in the series…Superdads! Animal Heroes.

​Why the Turtle Walks So Slowly
Written by Sandra Martin Denis
Illustrated by Arístides Hernández
Age Level: 5 - 10
Grade Level: K - 3

​A cover is a promise, and this story delivers. It’s the perfect pourquoi story that explains why the turtle is so slow. Who knew that he was once fast, when he didn’t have a shell? The people of Cuba did, and they shared that story by word of mouth until the author and illustrator retold it in this book. Their words and illustrations, beautiful!  If you’ve ever wanted to take a trip to Cuba, you can do it from the pages of this book.

​The Elephants Come Home: The True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship
Written by Kim Tomsic
Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Age Level: 5 - 10
Grade Level: K - 5

WOW, what an incredible story! Seven elephants need sanctuary. Lawrence and Francois Malby immediately offer them a place at Thula Thula. The Malbys welcome them, but the elephants are still nervous. Read how Lawrence offers them something more. A friendship, that’s returned in an extraordinary way after his death. Read the author’s note, acknowledgement, and sources to discover more about this incredible story.