+Brian Burton loves reading children’s books and running the blog at childrensbookstore.com. He often writes on the topics of kids books and parenting. It’s never too early to begin instilling positive attitudes about acceptance and tolerance in your children. The important thing is to expose your child to those who might be different than him [...]

I had my first official school visit since Finding My Place has come out. (For more info about my book, please see my FINDING MY PLACE page.) I was in Otterville, MO last Monday and Tuesday at the elementary school for Family Reading Night and in the middle school reading class, and then in Sedalia [...]

*Picture book for preschoolers through 2nd graders (nonfiction) *Saint Nicholas as the main character (before he was a saint) *Rating: Secret Service Saint is the perfect picture book to share with curious children in the holiday season. It helps teach about the importance of giving! Short, short summary: The book starts out with Nicholas as [...]

I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Share a meal, share a book, share a laugh, and share love! Don’t eat too much, grab the Tums, go for a walk, and enjoy your life! Peace and love to all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Many children love historical fiction, and teachers and parents like it because it helps teach a period in history that’s in the curriculum. I chose to write a historical fiction novel because of my background as a teacher and of how much I loved to read novels like Little House on the Prairie and Sarah, [...]

*Picture book for preschoolers through 1st graders *Little giraffe as main character *Rating: The illustrations of Stay Close to Mama are absolutely adorable, and it is a cute story, although parts confused me as an adult because the little giraffe gets in all sorts of dangerous situations because he doesn’t stay close to Mama, but [...]

This is the 10th year for I LOVE TO WRITE DAY! created by author John Riddle. He has suggested activities on his website: http://www.ilovetowriteday.org/. Whatever you do–make writing fun on this day and give kids, teens, adults–whoever!–time to write! I also want to quickly share Mary Horner’s book: Strengthen Your Nonfiction Writing (High Hill Press). [...]

During the Siege of Vicksburg, the citizens of Vicksburg had to use a lot of substitutes for everyday foods and products because the Yankees were stopping their supplies from reaching them AND the general store had to charge more money for each product, too. In my middle grade historical fiction novel Finding My Place: One [...]

*Nonfiction picture book, preschool through second graders *Being thankful is the main topic. *Rating: Alice McGinty, who is a lovely person that I got to meet when I lived in the Champaign, IL area, has written beautiful text, and Wendy Halperin has provided unbelievable illustrations. This is one beautiful book! Short, short summary: Thank you, [...]

*Picture book for preschool through 2nd graders (Thanksgiving theme, talking animals) *Bear as main character *Rating: My daughter loves all these books (Bear Snores On, etc.), and so do I! The illustrations are so cute, and the story always holds her attention. (She loves animals!) Short, short summary: In Bear Says Thanks, Bear is hungry, [...]