Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781561458257

My thoughts: It is always a joy and pleasure for me to learn a bit of the history of my home state - North Carolina. As with most states in the United States, we have a history of slavery of people - Africans, Irish, and others. Some were enslaved unwillingly as purchased and some willingly as indentured. Some of this history is heart-rending and terrifyingly sad. Some of it held hope, albeit in small measure, to those enslaved. This story is about one such enslaved individual in North Carolina - an African who was a "bought slave." It took place in Chatham Country which is next to Orange County where I lived for many years.

George Moses Horton hungered for knowledge and the ability to read and write. He had a head full of words roaming around forming stories and poems but no way to write them. Finally, he had an opportunity. Even though not freed and not able to purchase his freedom, he was allowed to go Chapel Hill - the home of the University of North Carolina, where he spoke poems to the young students for their sweethearts. Eventually he was taught to write his poems by one of the citizens of Chapel Hill.

George listening to others learn their ABCs

Though a Southern state, North Carolina was in many respects progressive in the concept that the slave, the African, could and should receive an education. Still flawed in action and concept, there were areas of North Carolina where free men of color lived, worked, and progressed. George Moses Horton was the first African-American to be published in America.

It is a joy to read of George Moses Horton's journey into the world of literacy and the happiness that reading brought to him.

Some of his poems were anti-slavery or about
the conditions they lived and worked under

The author, Don Tate, has written a super picture book biography for young children and young readers. This gives the opportunity to garner a bit of this period of history in our country and the resiliency of the enslaved peoples. I believe the author has written this story with pride of race for himself and pride of accomplishment for George Moses Horton.

The illustrations are done in an exaggerated style with softened yellows, greens, and browns. Horton's poems are displayed as background to the pictures on the two page spreads. Illustrations depict conditions and life as a slave prior to and during the Civil War. The text is advanced somewhat and may invoke further discussion and study on the part of young readers. This picture-book biography will fit well into history lessons of the period or for simply pleasure reading.

About the book: Born a slave, George Moses Horton taught himself to read, memorizing the poems he composed until he later learned to write. Hand-lettered excerpts of Horton’s writing amplify his successes and setbacks as he gains a reputation as a poet among students at the University of North Carolina, to whom he sold produce. Horton’s poems drew additional attention and were published (“Needless to say, it was a dangerous time for Horton, whose poems often protested slavery,” Tate writes in an afterword), but freedom remained elusive until the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, when Horton was 66 years old. Tate’s mixed-media illustrations glow with bright greens and yellows, radiating a warmth, hope, and promise that echo this stirring biography’s closing message: “Words loosened the chains of bondage long before his last day as a slave.” Ages 6–10. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

GIVEAWAY

Begins September 13 & ENDS October 5 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. 

 Open for addresses in USA

If you have won this book from our sponsor, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 
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About the author: Don Tate is the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. In 2013, he earned an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award for his first picture book text, It Jes' Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw. You can visit Don Tate’s website here.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own alone. I was not compensated for the review. The giveaway copy is provided by the publisher and will be sent directly to the winner.

Sona and the Wedding Game Written by Kashmira Sheth Illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9781561457359
Peachtree Publishers - Ages 4008
Hardcover $16.95

About the book: Sona's big sister is getting married and she's been given an important job to do. She has to steal the groom's shoes. She's never attended a wedding before, so she's unfamiliar with this Indian tradition as well as many of the other magical experiences that will occur before and during the special event. But with the assistance of her annoying cousin Vishal, Sona finds a way to steal the shoes and get a very special reward.

My thoughts: Chat With Vera reviews Christian and secular children's books - biographies, non-fiction, fiction, picture books, etc. In reviewing Sona and the Wedding Game, I realized it was multi-cultural and expected it to show the beauty and diversity of cultures and especially weddings. I was not, however, expecting an introduction to the Hindu religion and their god, Lord Ganesh. This is fine with me as it can be an excellent teaching tool for the parent that wishes to use it as such.

The story is sweet, as weddings usually are sweet, and the story is so beautifully illustrated to show the wealth and beauty of this culture.

Weddings are always thrilling for children with all the beauty and pageantry that they entail. The opportunity to glimpse into another culture's wedding traditions is certainly a must-do for a child. In Sona and the Wedding Game, young children get just that opportunity!

The tradition of stealing the grooms shoes is something in the Indian culture and a child is to do it.  This is a game and meant to be fun. As Sona goes about solving how she can do this, the beauty of the wedding permeates. As the illustrations show the beautiful colors and luxury of the wedding celebration.

Children will be entertained, educated, and will enjoy this book as they expand their knowledge of different cultures.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 6 & ENDS May 26 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

Open to USA addresses only.
(If you have already won this book in a different giveaway or contest, you may not receive a copy if chosen in this giveaway. The publisher can and will verify.)

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Kashmira Sheth is the author of the picture books Monsoon Afternoon and My Dadima Wears a Sari, as well as the award-winning young adult novels Blue Jasmine and Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. She lives in Wisconsin.

Yoshiko Jaeggi's work has appeared in Cricket Magazine. She is the illustrator of Monsoon Afternoon and My Dadima Wears a Sari. She lives in Maryland.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely mine and I was not compensated for the review.

Stanley the Farmer by William Bee [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN13: 9780857551115
Peachtree Publishers $14.95

Stanley has been seen here on Chat With Vera a couple of times already. Check him out .... Stanley's Garage and Stanley the Builder.

This sweet series of books will entertain and educate the young child. They are most likely suited for the little boy, but let's don't forget that girls love to learn about farms, garages, and building as well.

Let's take a look at what Stanley is up to now. He also has a special helper, Shamus. Little Woo helps a bit, too.

I like that Stanley's tools are all pictured in the front of the book so these pages can be used to help learn identification of tools. He has a very busy day preparing the field, spreading manure (phew!), and planting. At the end of the day, he does what Stanley always does.... bathes, eats, and goes to bed.

A delightful series and one I can recommend for your special young child.

Now for some special "Stanley Fun," Have your own event by clicking on this link, Stanley the Farmer Event, and find Stanley snacks to make, pages to color, things to match, etc.

GIVEAWAY

Begins April 21 & ENDS May 5 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

Open to USA addresses only.
(If you have already won this book in a different giveaway or contest, you may not receive a copy if chosen in this giveaway. The publisher can and will verify.)

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About the author:  William Bee is an artist and commercial designer who has worked for renowned fashion houses, including Issay Miyake and Paul Smith. As well as writing children's books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadow. He lives in England.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing in exchange for this review but no paid compensation. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

Toad Weather by Sandra Markle & illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781561458189
$16.99 Hardcover
32 pages, Ages 4-8

About the book: There's nothing to do on a rainy day, Ally thinks. But Mama says shes seen something amazing, so despite Ally's misgivings, she sets out with her mother and grandmother. On her journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, splashing cars, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. They turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. Whats happening?

My thoughts: Beautifully done art brings to life a rainy day when light glistens and colors reflect on the watery surfaces. Love the gentle images of the characters as they grace the pages when they sally forth to see what is happening outside in a rainy world.

As Ally gazes at the dull, wet world just outside her window definitely feeling rainy-day doldrums, in bursts her mother who has something wonderful to show her. Mama tells Grandmother and Ally to grab their slickers and boots and come with her. Well, Grandmother doesn't want to go out in the wet. But ultimately they all go.

I loved the text which tells a story with just enough words. The illustrations are colorful and yet still translate the feeling of a wet, rainy, dull, gray day. Love the splashes of various colors in this world of gray.

The story isn't just about going out and splashing around a bit in the rain. No, this has an endearing real-life adventure. You see, when it is "Toad Weather" magical things happen. The story is not just about the rain, it is about the life of toads and why Toad Weather is such a great "happening."

GIVEAWAY: Publisher is offering one of  Chat With Vera's reader the opportunity to win a copy. If you (same name or mailing address) have won prize in another giveaway, you are not eligible to win it again from this giveaway. Publisher has right to deny prize to winner in case of duplication. Begins March 28 & ENDS April 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open for USA addresses only.

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Teachers' Guide & a coloring sheet

Author & illustrator information: Sandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred children's books, which have won numerous awards, including Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, NSTA/CBC Outstanding Trade Books for Children, NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended, and ALA Notable Books for Children. She lives in New Zealand.

Thomas Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to the United States as a child. An artist and painter, he also illustrated The House on Dirty-third Street and the New York Times bestseller 14 Cows for America. He lives in Georgia.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Rodeo Red by Maripat Perkins, illustrated byMolly Idle

ISBN: 9781561458165

About the book: Rodeo Red and her hound dog Rusty are happier than two buttons on a new shirt 'til Side Swiping Slim shows up. Red's sure anyone who hollers that much'll be hauled to the edge of town and told to skedaddle, but her parents are smitten. When Slim sets his eye on Rusty, Red'd better figure out a way to save her best friend in all the world. Can she bargain with a varmint?

My thoughts: This is definitely a cute book and cute story. The text is "cowboynese" with a heaping of tough cowboy slang thrown in. While I prefer books to use correct grammar, I can see the use of this in a story. Obviously, a parent or older reader will need to explain the use of poor grammar and slang to the children. I do object to the use of a "dadburnit" in the story.

The story opens with Red as the lone cowboy on the ranch until a sideswiping Slim (new baby in family) arrives. As Red goes through the adjustment of a baby crying, tugging, crawling, walking, and taking stuff we see the illustration depict the baby and Red also growing physically. But Red simply doesn't want to have her territory or stuff messed with, yet that is simply what babies do. Rodeo Red gets in trouble with the Sheriff (Mom) and Deputy (Dad). But resolution does come.

The book has no teaching how a child can adjust to a newcomer in the family or how to learn to share space and toys. Some might find this a fault. I didn't because I think sometimes our books moralize too much. Red creates her own way to get her prize possession back from Slim without hurting him. Petty creative.

Love the illustrations and character's expressions. Love the growth of the two children as the story progresses. The "jail" is the back of the chair. The illustrated "largeness" of the Deputy when he confronts Red for wrong doing. Just good stuff.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Peachtree Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

P. ZONKA LAYS AN EGG by Julie Paschkis

Hardcover: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-819-6
Ages 4-8

About the book: Why doesn't P. Zonka lay eggs?

Extraordinary hen P. Zonka spends her time taking in the beauty around her: the shiny green of the grass, the buttery yellow of the dandelions, the deep blue of the sky. The other hens can't understand why she never lays eggs like they do - they think she's just plain lazy. But when P. Zonka finally decides to give egg-laying a try, the other chickens are in for a spectacular surprise!

My thoughts: Bright! Cheerful! Folksy art! Those were my first impressions of P.Zonka Lays An Egg. Julie Paschkis has an enviable talent for different, folksy, engaging art. When I visited her website, I saw a huge selection of books she has illustrated and they show a artist who excels in her particular style of artistic expression.

In the story of the barn yard filled with chickens, P.Zonka being one of them, we have an unproductive loner, P.Zonka, who just doesn't lay eggs like the other chickens. I guess there is always one in the hen house that is different. That is often the case in society at large - someone might be a bit different. It may be their style of dress, their proclivity for a different type of music (march to their own drummer), or the artist in the group who just sees the world in a different way.

The text for the story flows beautifully as the chickens chastise P.Zonka for not laying an egg. She tries to explain what she has been doing (instead of laying eggs) when she looks at the sky, the sun, the flowers, the grass. Eventually, they get her to "conform" to what all good chickens do and she lays an egg. And oh what an egg!

I absolutely love the combination of story, text, and wildly exuberant illustrations! This is a book to place on your child's home library shelf and one they will want read repeatedly. Because, you see, they will fall in love with P.Zonka and her world of beauty.

NOTE: P.Zonka was born of an ancient Ukrainian tradition, closely associated with Easter. It is the custom of an egg decorating technique called pysanky. Julie Paschkis and her family hold a big party where they decorate eggs every year after the tradition of pysanky. I found it interesting to read about the history egg decorating on Wikipedia. Perhaps you will, too.

Mix of disaporan & traditional Ukrainian pysanka
copied from Wikipedia

Julie Paschkis was born in 1957 and grew up in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Her parents encouraged the children to read, to draw and to play outside. Julie still like to do those things. She attended Germantown Friends School, Ringerike Folkehogskole in Norway, Cornell University, and the School for American Craftsmen at RIT where she received BFA. Please visit Julie's BLOG - Books Around the Table.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Claude On the Slopes by Alex T. Smith (Review & Giveaway)

Oh! To see one's name in big, bold letters!

About the book:  Ages 7-9
ISBN: 9781561458059
$12.95 - Hardcover

We're visiting Claude again. Claude is from the United Kingdom (England) or France or somewhere thereabout. Claude is a dog and lives with his people and Sir Bobbysock. Claude and his friend and companion, Sir Bobbysock, like to gad about when his people are not present and this time the slopes have a covering of snow and that is where Claudel goes - The Slopes.

As an early reader "chapter book," the Claude series brings delightfully simple line drawings, sparingly colored with bright red and blues and a storyline complete with innuendoes that the adults will relish that is both elementary and sophisticated.

Elementary children will identify with a visit to the library and reminder to use their"indoor voice." And then the delight one feels when they encounter first snow! Discovery of snow and the fun it brings to life was a joy to Claude.

Claude wears a magical beret and it provides lots of goodies and helpful items along the way. Again, Alex T. Smith has brought a delightful book for young readers. Parents (and kiddies) who build home libraries will want to get the entire series. I encourage school and public libraries to add these to their shelves for young readers to enjoy.

Claude Sock Puppet!

Peachtree Publishers is home for Claude and is providing a giveaway copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win for a favorite child of yours or to give to a library. But before we get to the entry form, check out the Peachtree blog where they have an absolutely fun project making a sock puppet. Here is the link! and below is a picture of the finished project. Don't you just want to get started on one right now?

GIVEAWAY:  Begins October 14 & ENDS November 5 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.
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Now read what other readers are saying about Claude On the Slopes

·     Monday,10/13- Picture Book to YA & The Write Path

·     Tuesday, 10/14- Geo Librarian and  Kit Lit Reviews

·     Wednesday, 10/15- Chat with Vera

·     Thursday, 10/16- The 4th Musketeer

·     Friday, 10/17- Librarian in Cute Shoes

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Claude on the Slopes from Peachtree Publishers in exchange for this review. No compensation was received and opinions expressed are solely my own. The winner's giveaway copy is provided by Peachtree and will be shipped directly to the winner.

Can I Come Too? by Brian Patten & Nicola Bayley {Review & Giveaway}

About the book: A very small mouse decided it wanted to have a very big adventure. "I'll go and find the biggest creature in the world," it thought. Along the way it meets many different animals and when at last they find the biggest creature, the little mouse feels a great sense of achievement.

My thoughts:  Gentle beauty. Caring and compassionate expressions on the critters faces. Lovely. Endearing. Well, what I'm trying to say is this is a lovely book that will endear  itself to you and your child. The artist has taken her art to a lovely level using the soft tones of watercolors and scenes from nature to bring delight to each page.

The sweet story is about a tiny mouse who wanted a big  adventure finding the largest critter. As mousie talked about it, various critters asked, "Can I come, too?" I found it interesting - but maybe I read more into the story than is really there - that it began with a tiny mouse. Tiny mouse ended up being the leader to bigger and adventurous things.  If you read this in the story as I did, perhaps it could be teaching moment to encourage children to dream big even when they feel they are "small" or insignificant. 

Most of all though, this is simply a lovely book. Now look at a few of the lovlies in the book with me......

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publishers has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Can I Come, Too?. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins October 8 & ENDS October 29 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only. I received a review copy from Peachtree to facilitate this review. 
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Immi's Gift ~ Written & Illustrated by Karin Littlewood (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN: 9781561455454
Ages 4-8, Hardcover  $15.95

Little Immi is a  child of the far north, cold frozen land of Alaska. She is a native Inuit. Her people fish for their sustenance and little Immi is learning young to fish.

One day while out fishing she catches a beautifully carved and painted bird.She is filled with joy at this beautiful gift from the water. On subsequent days she catches other beautiful treasures.

At the end of the story, she decides to "gift" the sea with one of her very own Inuit treasures. Ultimately, the Inuit treasure is caught from the sea by a Pacific Islander.

This beautifully told and illustrated story is charming. There is sweet innocence and true joy. There is also an underlying story of bonding across the distances imposed by water, land, or cultures. 

"....as Immi was about to go, 

she stopped and put her hand to her necklace. She took the small bear and gently dropped it into the water."

The illustrations alone are what I consider "keeper quality." But combined with the effortlessly and beautifully simple told story, it makes for a perfect book for the child's home bookshelf or libraries at school and city.

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publishers has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Immi's Gift. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August September 24 & ENDS October 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Immi's Gift from Peachtree Publishers in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review. The winner's giveaway copy is provided directly to them from Peachtree.

Pig and Small by Alex Latimer (Review & Giveaway)

About the book: Two friends learn that size doesn't matter in this hilarious story about finding common ground.

Pig and Bug just want to be friends. But their size difference is proving to be a BIG problem. Pig wants to play games - but Bug is too small. Bug wants to make things for his friend - but Pig is too big!
Just as they've given up all hope for their friendship, 

Pig has an idea... But will it work? (Yes, it will!)

Meet "Bug" who is the squeak on the
snout of Pig.

My thoughts: When Pig wakes up one morning, he discovers a squeak in his snout. Never had he squeaked but now everything was a squeak. Finally, he realizes that his squeak is actually a very small BUG.

As Pig and Bug begin to discover each other and explore the friendship they so desire, they realize that friendship is something you work hard at and that you have to accept that others are special just the way they are.

"Pig and Bug were very sad. They'd tried so hard to be friends, but it just wasn't working.

So they said goodbye.... and parted ways."

Isn't that sad? But wait, there is MORE to the story! Well, they find ways to do things together and then their adventure begins.

This story of Pig and Small is sweetly told and then colorfully illustrated with simple line drawings, simplistic eyes and animations, and will delight the child as you read to him or the early reader who reads it aloud with you. 

"Pig couldn't help feeling as though he'd done most of the pedaling."

I can recommend this to Chat With Vera readers and for libraries everywhere,

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publisher has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Pig and Small. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August September 17 & ENDS October 7 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
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School Library Journal recommends this humorous tale of unusual friendship for storytime, especially for the big bright illustrations.
About the author/illustrator: Alex Latimer lives near the border of a national park so when not writing or drawing, he spends his free time shooing baboons out of his lounge. The Boy Who Cried Ninja is his first book for children. He lives in South Africa. Publishers Weekly Reviews notes that "Latimer (Lion vs. Rabbit), whose deadpan visual comedy is always a treat, once again proves he's adept at conveying life lessons with the lightest of touches." 
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing in exchange for this review but no paid compensation. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to give a positive review. 

Stanley's Garage by William Bee (Review & Giveaway)

About the book: Can Stanley fix all the cars in his garage today?

Stanley is working at his garage. From filling up Hattie's red speedster with gas to changing the tire on Shamus and Little Woo's blue station wagon, it sure is a busy day. As his friends each come in with their car problems, Stanley knows just what to do to get them back on the road.

My thoughts:  Have you fallen completely in love with Stanley yet? Stanley is now the owner of a Garage and he has lots of his neighbor's cars and trucks to take care of - especially Myrtle's.

Got a flat tire? Stanley will come where you're stranded and fix it for you. See he is fixing theirs by jacking the car up.

Stanley gets a call from Myrtle saying she is having problems with her little purple car. (Remember, Myrtle is the friend for whom Stanley built a house.) After taking his tow truck to where Myrtle is stranded, he "tows" her back to his garage so he can fix her car.

It takes lots of different tools to fix cars and trucks, and Stanley has lots of tools. Kids and Dads will have lots of fun naming all these different tools and talking about what to "fix" with each of them.

This is sure to be a good series for the young child because the illustrations are clear, pleasant, and the text is direct and simple. The book is fun, cute, enjoyable, and delightfully educational. I recommend you consider acquiring copies of the Stanley books for your library at home, school, or public.

There is a grand blog tour going on. Visit each and see what these bloggers, book lovers have to say about Stanley the Builder. Most will be hosting a giveaway, too. For whom will you try to win this cute book?

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publisher has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Stanley's Garage. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August September 10 & ENDS October 2 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.

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About the author:  William Bee is an artist and commercial designer who has worked for renowned fashion houses, including Issay Miyake and Paul Smith. As well as writing children's books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadow. He lives in England.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing in exchange for this review but no paid compensation. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to give a positive review. 

Stanley the Builder by William Bee - A new early literacy series (Review & Givaway)

Hardcover - $14.95
ISBN:  978156145801
Pages: 32, 8 x 8
Age: 3-7

 About the book:  Stanley is building a house. Will he make it just right?

When Myrtle buys a plot of land, she asks Stanley to build her a new house. He works step by step - from clearing the site with a bulldozer, to pouring the foundation, to painting the finished house in Myrtle's favorite colors. Luckily, Charlie helps out too. Building houses is hard work, but all three friends are happy with a job well done.

My thoughts:  Having raised two boys and three girls, we had our share of trucks, bull dozers, hammers, saws, and other stuff that makes for the building of boys.  But mind you, our three girls got their turn at sharing the tools of the trade that Stanley the Builder so enjoyed as he built a house for Myrtle.

I really miss seeing those yellow Tonka (and other brands) dump trucks, bull dozers, and other putter-putt-putt devices. Once they got to the "dirty" stage, they were relegated to yard building only. But until such time as they became encrusted in the red clay that is Piedmont North Carolina, they moved legos, Lincoln Logs, and other bits and pieces around the floor of the house.

Stanley first of all is engaged by Myrtle to build the house so the first thing to do is move  the dirt to level the area. Then comes the foundation.

I like that William Bee has in very simple story form and clear, enjoyable art laid the ground for children to understand the process involved in construction. Mom and Dad can take the child around to see their own home and talk about how the builder created the home in which the child lives.

Again, the illustrations aptly
portray what is used in building
Myrtle's House.

Between moving the dirt, laying the foundation, and Myrtle's house being finished there are pages that tell of building and finishing the home. Again, an opportunity for educating a young child in what it takes to get the roof over their head so they can have a comfortable home.

Stanley goes home after a day's hard work and relaxes at dinner before he goes to bed. 

This is sure to be good series for the young child because the illustrations are clear, pleasant, and the text is direct and simple. The book is fun, cute, enjoyable, and delightfully educational.

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publisher has graciously agreed to provide one of Chat With Vera's readers their own copy of Stanley the Builder. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August September 3 & ENDS September 25 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.

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About the author:  William Bee is an artist and commercial designer who has worked for renowned fashion houses, including Issay Miyake and Paul Smith. As well as writing children's books, he races a vintage sports car, is an international skier, and when at home tends his lawns and meadow. He lives in England.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for this review but no paid compensation. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not required to give a positive review.

The Big Book of Words for Curious Kids by Heloise Antoine & Ingrid Gordon (Review & Giveaway)

About the book: This colorful, appealing word book makes observing, recognizing and naming things an exciting adventure in learning. Each page in THE BIG BOOK OF WORDS FOR CURIOUS KIDS features numerous pictures revolving around familiar themes in a child's life - clothing, toys, food, and animals, just to name a few. Certain objects, such as Bobo the stuffed bunny, appear repeatedly throughout the book, encouraging image recognition. This book - at once a picture book, word book, and beginning reader - help make those first few steps into the world of words much less daunting and much more fun. 

• Age Range: 4 and up 
• Series: Big Book of Words Series
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Pub Ltd
• ISBN-13: 978-1561451111

My thoughts: Children love books that they can return to over and over and continue to discover treasures within. In The Big Book of Words for Curious Children there are hundreds of tiny, sketched and colorful pictures that the child can identify as they would touch on his/her life. Familiar objects or those easily learned when identified for him. Children find delight in "seek 'n search" and a book such as this can easily be turned into such an activity.

I found the art delightfully sweet and charming and this alone is enough to endear the book to readers. I like that the little bunny finds a way to join in the fun throughout the book. A fun twist for the kids to find throughout.

With a sturdy hardcover, little hands will enjoy learning and beginning their venture of the printed word. A good resource for the parent to have around for their child. Each two-page spread features a charming picture of little ones engaged in polite, social engagements - sharing, working together, reading together, etc. 

Needless-to-say, I recommend this book to you.

GIVEAWAY: The good folks at Peachtree Publishers has a copy of this delightful children's book just waiting for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win. Use the entry form below, please. Begins August 26 & ENDS September 17 @ 12:02 a.m. ET.  Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of The Big Book of Words for Curious Children in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.