ROCB: Happy Hanukkah, Curious George

Review of Children's Book Happy Hanukkah, Curious George


"It is the eighth night of Hanukkah, and George and his friends have gathered for a celebration. They light the menorah, spin the dreidel, make latkes, and learn the importance of mitzvah! In this tabbed board book, youngsters will even find a tasty latke recipe and instructions for constructing a dreidel, with rules for play. A festive foil-stamped cover makes this a fine holiday gift for fans of Curious George."

My Review:

This is a very informative yet fun book.  I liked the tabs as it divided the sections up into easy to understand sections.  I liked the rhyming of the words as it made it an entertaining read too.  The explanations of the different parts of a Hanukkah celebration were well illustrated.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I would recommend this book to anyone who has a child interested in what goes on at a Hanukkah celebration as well as any fan of Curious George.

ROCB: The Quiet Place

Review of Children's Book The Quiet Place


"When Isabel and her family move to the United States, Isabel misses all the things she left behind in Mexico, especially her aunt Lupita and hearing people speak Spanish. But she also experiences some wonderful new things--her first snow storm and a teacher who does not speak Spanish but has a big smile. Even better, Papa and her brother Chavo help her turn a big box into her own quiet place, where she keeps her books and toys and writes letters to Aunt Lupita. As she decorates and adds more and more on to her quiet place, it is here that Isabel feels the most at home in her new country while she learns to adjust to the changes in her life."

My Review:

Although this book is set in the 1950’s it will still resonate with children today.  The story follows a Spanish child moving to America.  She is lonely and trying to learn English so write letters back to her Aunt in Mexico.  Writing the letters in English is hard for her but it is helping her learn faster.  Throughout the story she talks about boxes and how she enjoys hiding in them and decorating them.  In the end they play a part in her feeling more welcome in the United States.  I liked the soft muted pictures and enjoyed the letters being from the viewpoint of the child.  I gave this book 5/5 stars because I enjoyed the book and think any child moving or going to a new location will enjoy this story!

ROCB: If I Built A House

Review of Children's Book If I Built A House

 

"Jack is ready to build the house of his dreams, complete with a racetrack, flying room, and gigantic slide. Jack's limitless creativity and infectious enthusiasm will inspire budding young inventors to imagine their own fantastical designs."

My Review:

I loved, loved, loved this book!  The illustrations are what make it a perfect book for all children to read.  The words exactly describe the pictures and they even rhyme!  It teaches kids to use their imaginations and it shows creative ways to do things (like having a jet dryer to dry you off after your shower).  It is creative, funny and entertaining and that is why I gave it a 5/5 stars!

ROCB: Here Comes Doctor Hippo

Review of Children's Book Here Comes Doctor Hippo



"Little Hippo loves to pretend, and today he is playing a doctor. He tries to examine Big Hippo, Very Tall Giraffe, Giant Crocodile, Elephant, and other patients. But not everyone plays the way Doctor Hippo expected. Especially not Lion. Lion does not want to play Doctor Hippo's game. When he lets out a huge roar, the little doctor races home to find that Mama Hippo's medicine is the best of all. Jonathan London's reassuring story is perfectly matched by Gilles Eduar's warm and whimsical illustrations."

My Review:

I enjoyed the character of Little Hippo.  He wakes up one day and decides he will play doctor.  He visits his friends and wants to check them out.  In the end his mom checks him out just like he checked his friends out.  It was very cute that in the last picture of the book you see that all the friends he checked on while playing doctor where actually his stuffed animal friends.  A delightful  book about using your imagination to play and shows a loving and caring relationship between a mom and child.  I also enjoyed the illustrations; they were well done and fit the story and that is why I gave this book 5/5 stars. 

ROCB: A Team Stays Together

Review of Children's Book A Team Stays Together



"When the Dungy family heads out to a football game, Mom and Dall tell all the kids, "Don't wander off!" but Jordan can't resist getting a closer look at the souvenir stand. But when he turns around to talk to his dad, he can't find his family! This book teachers an important lesson to children about paying attention and never wandering off on your own."


My Review:

This book shows a family at a football game.  One of the children wonders off but is later found.  The book is good for teaching about staying with your family when you go to a strange place.  I liked that the characters were African American; you don’t see many children’s books with characters of different ethnic groups.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I liked the illustrations; I thought the story was easy to follow and the book teaches a great principle.

Review of Diamond Secret

The Diamond Secret is written by Lenora Worth.

I enjoy all the Love Inspired Suspense books.  This author has written many books and any story by her is worth your reading time.  This particular book is not one of my favorites of hers but I would still recommend it!

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  It was suspenseful and had a bit of romance.  I did not like the characters as much as I thought I would though.  The story line was good with the intrigue of a search for a special diamond.  The romance was pretty typical for a Love Inspired novel.  Even though I did not enjoy the characters the suspense of the story made it worth reading. 

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading.  I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

Review of Lakeside Family

Lakeside Family is written by Lisa Jordan.

Josie never told Nickolas she had a baby so when he hears from her that she needs her help with their child it comes as a shock.  This is how their relationship begins again, not that they really had one to begin with!  There is quite a bit of drama in this story with the existence of a sick child.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  I have read many Love Inspired books and have enjoyed most of them.  This particular book did not have a great story line for me.  The main character of Josie was not that likable.  To me she did not come across as someone who I should cheer for or wanted to cheer for.  That is just my opinion though and may not be someone else’s who reads this same story. 

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading.  I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.