Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Flashback Tuesday: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel illus by Trina Schart Hyman

Tomorrow is the first night of the Festival of Lights or Hanukkah.  Today I write about my favorite Hanukkah story.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by the wonderful Trina Schart Hyman is a wonderful folktale about a town that is over run with Goblins who like to destroy the Hanukkah festivities.   It is up to Hershel to save the day.  This is a really fun book that I think everyone should read even if they don't celebrate Hanukkah.   The characters are great and the illustrations are perfect....like I said it is my favorite Hanukkah story.   It is a must have kind of a book.  It also makes a great family gift as all ages can enjoy it.

Monday, November 29, 2010

More Cookbooks!

Yesterday I wrote about a great new cookbook for kids.   I would also like to recommend some other new cookbooks just in case that one isn't enough and more recipes are needed.  

No Bake Gingerbread Houses for Kids


No Bake Gingerbread House For Kids by Lisa Anderson & Zac Williams.  Every year my nephews aunt gives them a Gingerbread making kit.   This book is nice because there is no kit needed and the ingredients are easy to get.   A perfect cookbook for this time of year.




The Do It Myself Kids' Cookbook: Nothing Hot, Nothing Sharp


The Do it Myself Kids' Cookbook: Nothing Hot, Nothing Sharp by Laurie Goldrich Wolf is for the youngest cooks in the house.   These recipes can be made by a child with no direct help from an adult.   I know lots of kids who will love this because they always want to do things themselves.




Boys Can Cook Too! Incredible Cookies: Fun and Easy Recipes for Boys that Love to Bake


Boys Can Cook Too! Incredible Cookies by Kelly Lambrakis.  Normally I wouldn't suggest a book that is gender specific but I couldn't help myself with this one.   This is part of a series of books geared toward boys and cooking.   I was drawn to this one because the author has three boys just like my brother.   My brother's boys always liked to help in the kitchen.   I have a great photo of my nephew JoJo with his Grandma last year baking our bread for Christmas morning.   Even though it is technically for boys I am sure if there is a girl in the family they will like it too.

Teen Cuisine


Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locriccio is one of the best books for young adults I have seen.   I know most teens could probably use a grownup cookbook but this is great to get them started.   I liked the set up and recipes plus the photographs are truly helpful.





Bean Appetit: Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food



Bean Appetit: Hip & Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food by Shannon Payette Selp and Kelly Parthen.  I just loved the title of this book.   I also loved that it shows how eating healthy can be fun--as you know my other life involves veggie burgers (thesavorygarden.blogspot.com) and healthy eating.




These are just a few newer cookbooks for kids out in the marketplace.   These make great gifts for this time of year--Buon Appetito!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Reference Sunday: The Kids-Did-it! A (fun) cookie-baking cookbook for kids, illustrated by kids! by Glenn & Michelle Abrams

So it is that time of year again, Thanksgiving is over and it is time to turn our attention to Christmas and Hanukkah.   This is a time of buying presents, decorating and of course baking.

The Kids-Did-It! Cookie Bookie: A (fun) cookie-baking cookbook for kids, illustrated by kids!

The Kids-Did-it!  A (fun) cookie-baking cookbook for kids, illustrated by kids! by Glenn & Michelle Abrams is a really great book to use this time of year.   Kids love to help in the kitchen and what they love most is to help make cookies and cakes.   What I love about this cookbook (besides the wonderful recipes--which are very child friendly) is that the illustrations are done by kids and are really quite impressive.   Children will be inspired to not only learn to bake but to maybe pick up a paintbrush or pencil and create their own illustrations.   This makes a great family gift or maybe an early gift to your child so they can help prepare for the holidays.   Either way it is a fun cookbook for kids and adults to enjoy together.   Oh if you go to the website Kidsdidt.com and enter the code (after you hit the buy now link) YFR5S8Q9 you can get a discount at checkout...buon appetite!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas by Tad Hills

It seems like so many blogs I follow have already started to write about Christmas books.   I have resisted because I always feel that we rush the holiday season.   Besides I like Thanksgiving and feel like it gets lost in the shuffle.   Well I can resist no more....only because this book keeps staring me in the face and I have been dying to recommend it.

Last year I recommended the original Duck & Goose book while talking about books on ducks.   Shortly before that I suggested Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin because I just loved the illustrations.  Well here I go again.
Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas

Duck & Goose, It's Time for Christmas by Tad Hills is one of the cutest Christmas books I have seen for toddlers in a long time.   It is a simple story of two friends:  one who likes to just have fun and the other who wants to have fun but only after their work has been done.   It is a fun little book that is the perfect way to let your little one start getting excited for Christmas.  It is a must have for any child's bookshelf....

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!




Thanksgiving Prayer
We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun, that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in Whom is embodied all goodness, and Who directs all things for the good of Her children.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Banana by Ed Vere

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which is the unofficial start of the the holiday season.   It is a time when we give thanks for all we have.   It is also a time to share what we have with the people we love or anyone around us.   I always think it is never too late to teach children to be kind and giving.
Banana!


Banana! by Ed Vere is the kind of book that is so simple and yet so powerful in
it's lesson to children.   With only two words and very expressive illustrations we can show a child the meaning of politeness and sharing.   It is the perfect book for this time of year -----it is meant for younger children but I think older ones can learn from it as well.   Besides it is fun read with exuberant pictures to look at.  

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Flashback Tuesday: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp illus Erwin Printup, Jr

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (Reading Rainbow Book)

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Book by Chief Jake Swamp and illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr is the perfect book for today.  I love the fact this is based on an actual Native American prayer that children say every morning.  It teaches children to appreciate the world around them. I think this a timeless book and one that should remind us to be thankful for all we have.  I also that love the simplicity of the artwork.   This is more than just a book for Thanksgiving it is a book to be read at any time of year.   A beautiful book to give as a new baby gift or as a gift for families to share.  

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Reference Sunday: Blue Moon Soup: A Family Cookbook by Gary Goss illust by Jane Dyer

I looked up tonight and saw a beautiful sight.  An extraordinary full moon, apparently it is a blue moon...which we won't have again until 2012....so no blue moons next year.   

Blue Moon Soup: A Family Cookbook
Blue Moon Soup: A Family Cookbook by Gary Goss and illustrated by the wonderful Jane Dyer is an older book but one I just love.   It is a great cookbook for kids and deals with soups and stew etc.  It is a family friendly cookbook written with children's tastes in mind.  Even if I never cooked one of the recipes I would still add to my cookbook collection as I love Jane Dyer's illustrations....so warm and inviting.   This book might be hard to get but it is really worth it.    

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly by Carolyn Parkhurst illus by Dan Yaccarino

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday, she is also my partner in our veggie burger business.   She loves to cook which is why we started a food business.   I thought today's book suggestion would be in her honor as we both love to watch cooking shows. Happy Birthday T!

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly
Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly by Carolyn Parkhurst and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino is a really funny book that has a little boy who likes to pretend he is doing a cooking show.   He must "pretend" with his little sister because he was told by his mother he has to play with her.   It is told in a conversational way which makes it a wonderful read aloud.   Carolyn Parkhurst has kids minds down pat and Dan Yaccarino's illustrations made me laugh.   This is a great book about siblings that is just a fun read.   I can't wait to see what other adventures Henry and Elliebelly get into.  

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming illus by G. Brian Karas

Clever Jack Takes the Cake


Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming and illustrated by award winning G. Brian Karas is a fun new book that is a fairy tale at heart.    I love this story of a little boy named Jack who gets an invitation to the princess' birthday party.  I love the resourcefulness of Jack.  He trades his beloved items for ingredients to make a cake only to have the cake torn apart.   In the end it is the story that pleases the princess.  When I read it I had a feeling of an O'Henry story....but for kids.   This is such a sweet and lovely fairy tale that I would have wanted as a child.  

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Flashback Tuesday: Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters Photos by Russ Kendall

Day In The Life Of A Pilgrim Girl (Sarah Morton's Day)
Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters with photographs by Russ Kendall is not necessarily a Thanksgiving Story.   It is just a story based on a little girl who actually existed.   Even though it is not a holiday story it has always been a perennial book to read at this time of year.   I remember it being a big seller when I first started working in books.   What I always liked about it, besides the fact that it was about a real person, was the photographs.   It clearly shows children what it was like to live in the 1600's.   Kids are so visual that the photographs bring a reality that sometimes illustrations cannot.   This is a great book to read along side a true story of Thanksgiving if only to give perspective and understanding of how people lived in the early days before we were a country.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Perfect Piggies by Sandra Boynton

Perfect Piggies!


I can't believe I missed this new release of a Sandra Boynton board book.   Her new board book Perfect Piggies! is just too adorable for words.   I have always loved her books, they are perfect for story times and just one on one time with kids.   I have even gotten them for some adults I know.   I love the sing along aspect of the book and was thrilled that there is a downloadable song that goes with it.   This is just a "perfect" book....(Pun intended).   The cover illustration is priceless and when I first saw it I couldn't help  smiling.   This is a must have for any child especially anyone who loves Sandra Boynton.....


Perfect Piggies! Book and Plush Set



Oh and there is even a Perfect Piggies!Book and Plush Set that makes a
wonderful gift!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Reference Sunday: Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by Charles HRH The Prince of Wales

Today is  Prince Charles birthday.    I was just reading about his new adult book called Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World.  In it he talks about how we must work with nature to help our planet.    I admire his passion and commitment to changing the way we view our world.
Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future

Harmony Children's Edition: A Vision for Our Future by HRH The Prince of Wales takes all the information of his adult book and makes it accessible to children.   It was very smart of him to do a children's version as they should also be taught to save our world.   It is a beautifully produced book with wonderful photographs.  It is a good book to help start conversations about the environment and why we should care about what is happening to our planet.