Learn To Play The What-If Game (Guest post by Barbara Conelli) From Margo: I am so honored to have Barbara Conelli guest post with this wonderfully inspiring essay on turning around those annoying, negative WHAT IF questions and making them positive. Anyone can benefit from this post! She is using the book she wrote, Chique [...]

*Picture book, contemporary, for preschoolers through 2nd graders *Dan, the Taxi Man and a band as main characters *Rating: Dan, the Taxi Man (Publisher: Kane Miller) follows a classic children’s book form that I happen to love. There’s sound effects that are easy to read aloud AND there’s repeating text. Think The House that Jack [...]

*Picture book, non-fiction, humorous, rhyme for preschoolers through 3rd graders *Topic is Poop! *Rating: Poopendous! is a hysterical look at a bodily function everyone can relate to from the smallest bird to the largest human. It’s a clever way to show children that pooping is no big deal and can actually be quite helpful. Short, [...]

Today, I welcome author Maggie Lyons who will talk about her new novel, Vin and the Dorky Duet. Here’s a brief summary of the plot from Maggie’s website before we get on to the questions and her insightful answers! The moment he walks through the door and sees the sharky grin on his older sister’s [...]

*Non-fiction chapter book for kids 7 to 10 years old *8-year-old girl is the focus of the book *Rating: What an inspirational book! Kids will love Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage. It’s one of those stories that teachers/parents can use to help children who are struggling with almost any self-esteem issue. Besides, who doesn’t [...]

*Picture book for preschoolers through third graders, history?–you’ll see what I mean. . . *Man’s best friend as main character/topic *Rating: Do You Have a Dog? is one of those books I wish I would have written. Brilliant! Short, short summary: This book starts out asking the reader if he/she has a dog and lists [...]

The book featured here today, Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore, is a book for adults about traveling in Italy (considered narrative travel nonfiction). I am hosting the author with a guest post written by her later on this month. She’s full of enthusiasm and inspiration and a love for life. Her book is travel writing [...]

*Picture book for preschoolers through 2nd graders *Sweet, little chickadees as main characters *Rating: Chickadees At Night is a super cute picture book, where author Bill O. Smith wonders what those little, secretive chickadees are doing. I love the creativity and illustrations, too! Short, short summary: Bill O. Smith asks “Where do chickadees go at [...]