Reading Challenges for 2016

So I have gotten the bug of reading challenges,  because nothing makes things more fun, than achievements!

This year I have a few I want to do for this blog, kicking it into the blog I want to see.  One will be adding more than just book reviews, but I am jumping forward again!

The first challenge is right up this blogs allay the 2016  I Love Picture Book Reading Challenge, hosted by Bea's Book Nook.

 

Sign ups are running now!

My goal is to read and review 50 picture books or more. Hopefully more!

Will update this post as I find more to fit my goal here.

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My next one is the Blogger Shame Review Challenge, which yes, that cat is me!  I have been putting off so many posts, it is sad.  Well no more!  I am going to be a happy purring cat from now on! 

Goal is to clear out my NetGalley Books, (that is 7 for here) and get a handle on the hard copy (real) books, (that is 35)  

So 42 books to review!  I CAN DO THIS!  

Now I just need to find a challenge for food blogging ...

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I Love You, Stinky Face

From Amazon

I Love You, Stinky Face

Written by Lisa McCourt , Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Publisher:Scholastic

Genre: Children's Book, Children’s Bedtime Stories (29 pages)

Amazon Link: I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE

A young boy asks his mom, will you still love me if I was an ape, a skunk, or an one-eyed monster.

I Love You, Stinky Face is one of my must haves for any new family.  It is a very adorable story of a mother’s love, told through the questions of an imaginative child.  No matter if you are an alligator, a meat-eating dinosaur, or a swap creature, mama will love you.  Leason: A mother has unconditional love.

As with most of my favorite children's books, the artwork in this book is amazing, with bright colors and pictures that depict movement.  The story is easy to read, adding voices to the child and the mother. It is a story every child I read it too asks to hear it again and again.

I have a few must haves for baby showers now.  A pack of size 1 diapers. receiving blankets (can never have too many) a Tupperware Quick Shake (best thing for formula) and a book.  This is one of three books I give.  

Babushka

(from Amazon.com)

Babushka

Written by Dawn Casey , Illustrated by Amanda Hall

Publisher:Lion Hudson

Genre: Children's Book, Children’s Folk Tales (32 pages)

Amazon Release Date: 8/01/2016  - LINK

Babushka is busy working, cleaning, cooking and the sort, when one night three travelers stop by her home for food and warmth, and tell her about following the star in the east. The sign a new baby and king has been born.

I have heard this russian tale before, about the woman who feed the Three Wise Men, as they stopped on their journey, inviting the old woman to join them. After turning them down, she decides the next day, that she will journey to meet with them, only to get lost on the way.  This is a Russian tale that is much like the Father Christmas tales, about someone traveling the earth giving toys and food to those children she meets.  

What I loved about this book, is the artwork, hands down. The style reminds me of a whimsical classic russian style I studied in art history class. Only the colors are more pleasing to a child's eye. In other tales of Babushka, Babushka is a crooked looking crone, drawn looking to scare, for some reason. Only here she is warm, and loving.  More like a classic grandmother.

I quite enjoyed this retailing of a tale I heard as a child. In reading this story for this review, I introduced my nephew to it.  He sat on my lap, and we saw this magical story open for us, it was a lovely experience.

I recommend that this story is added to your holiday collection.  

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem (children's book review)

(from amazon.com)

Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem

Written by Kathryn Cole , Illustrated by Qin Leng

Publisher: Second Story Press

Genre: Children's Book (24 pages) Ages 5-8

Never Give Up, in itself a simple story to follow.  A young kid, Shaun, is trying to learn to ride his bike, but is having a hard time balancing.  But, this story has a few more layers to it.  It is told by Nadia, his young friend, who is also having issues of her own, they main being watching her friend get teased, yet not standing up for him.

I have read many children's stories about not giving up, and to keep trying, but “Never Give Up”  does it far better.  This story not only teaches that you need to keep on trying, but to do it even when others maybe laughing at you.  It is also a story of friendship and helping others.  Our main character, feels awful for not standing up and helping her friend, and goes to her father for help.  Teaching children that when you have problems you can not slove, it is okay to seek out adult help.  

However, the part of this book that stood out above anything else, we the author’s and illustrator’s way of adding diversity without waving flags stating, ‘look how diverse we are here.”  With a main character in a hijab and the children of different races playing together, it is all there but never brought into the focus of the story. They just are, and it is perfect.   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.