Being Friends With Boys

Book: Being Friends With Boys

Author: Terra Elan McVoy

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 368

Grade Level: 8th and up

Rating: 4 Stars

As the title suggests, this book is about a teenage girl, Charlotte, who has a lot more guy friends than she does girls. It does not really bother her, especially since she has two step-sisters at home and Charlotte prefers the least amount of drama in her life as possible. She keeps herself busy by being the manager of her best friend’s band but suddenly there are new members of the band (all boys of course) and one man out of the band which causes more boy drama than Charlotte could even imagine!

It is so rare to find a book for young adults that has no foul language or talk about sex or sexually active teenagers and this book proves you can have an extremely fast-paced, fun, drama filled novel without any of those elements. The characters are so well developed and you truly feel like you have joined this group of friends and you are sitting on the couch watching the band practice. This book is a great read for any girl who has experienced the drama that can come from being “just friends” with boys.

The House That Mouse Built

Book: The House That Mouse Built

Author: Maggie Rudy and Pam Abrams

Illustrator: Maggie Rudy

Photographer: Bruce Wolf

Publisher: Downtown Bookworks

Pages: 32

Grade Level: Preschool and up

Rating: 4 Stars

This picture book is a cute story about a female mouse that steals cheese from a male mouse and the two end up falling in love, get married,  have a baby and live happily ever after in the house that Mouse built. The text is in rhyme and repetition but the pictures are what make this book really special.

The illustrations are absolutely incredible. Children will definitely love to play “I Spy” with the buttons, forks, coins and other everyday items used as intricate details on every page. Maggie Rudy made the mice and created this little world that is unlike any other. The courtship between Musetta and Mouse is portrayed in the most adorable manner and this is definitely a book children will want to read over and over!   

Space-Tacular!

Book: Space-tacular! (Science with Stuff)

Author: Allyson Kulavis

Publisher: Downtown Bookworks

Pages: 48

Grade Level: 3^rd Grade and up
Rating: 4 Stars

Space-tacular is an excellent introduction to many aspects of space. The book defines key terms and provides excellent details to life in space and how engineers and astronauts explore space. The pictures are all real (courtesy of NASA) and children will learn interesting and fun facts that are truly out of this world!

This book is filled with information in a format that is easy to read and understand. The only minor flaw is in the flow of the beginning of the book. It starts off with a page dedicated to the Sun, then Jupiter, followed by Venus which would make the reader assume they will have a brief introduction to the planets but the next pages begin a discussion of the moon, galaxies and asteroids followed by Mars and space travel. Adding the other planets would complete this book and truly make it a comprehensive “everything you need to know about the universe”. However, even without those pages this book still serves as an excellent resource for any child (or adult) interested in learning all about space. The book also comes with rocks that formed when a giant meteorite crashed into earth which is definitely a special collectable for someone interested in this topic! 

My First Batman Book

Book: My First Batman Book: Touch and Feel

Author: David Katz

Publisher: Downtown Bookworks

Pages: 12 (Board Book)

Rating: 5 Stars

This board book is the essential Batman 101: His real name is Bruce Wayne, he responds to the Bat-Signal, he drives the Batmobile, he uses the Batrope to get around high places, he uses a computer and his partner in crime is Robin. My First Batman Book is a must-have touch and feel book for any child whose parents watch The Big Bang Theory or were major comic book collectors. The series includes Superman and Wonder Woman as well. The book has the vintage look of Batman and Robin and any boy who wants to be a superhero needs to have this book in his collection. 

Turn The Key: Around Town

Book: Turn The Key: Around Town

Author: Julie Merberg

Illustrator: Lucinda McQueen

Publisher: Downtown Bookworks

Pages: 12 (Board Book)

Rating: 5 Stars

Turn the Key: Around Town is a different type of “lift the flap” book. The board book takes a child on a journey around the town making stops at the local toy shop, the supermarket, the park and other familiar places. The book comes with a key attached to it and the child uses it at each location to unlock the door and see the area in more detail.

What is so great about this book is that you can “lock” the flap so a child cannot rip it off! It is written in rhyme and the pictures are warm and inviting. Children will get excited about turning the key to open the door and feel a sense of accomplishment when they lock it back up. The book is also an excellent tool for building vocabulary skills. Children can name all of the animals, toys, objects and foods that they see throughout the book. 

Thank You Ryland Peters and Small!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the marketing team at Ryland Peters and Small Inc. for the BEAUTIFUL baby book! I cannot wait to fill it in with all of my son's special moments and pictures, and to track his height using his new growth chart! This is such a wonderful baby gift for any expectant mother or for someone who just had a child. The pictures, illustrations, and color scheme are so well done you will want one for every child you know!

Great Father's Day Gift Ideas For Dad and Grandpa!

Book: I Love You Dad...And All The Things You Say and Do

Author: Susan Akass

Illustrator: Hannah George

Publisher: Cico Books

Pages: 64

Rating: 5 Stars


People are always looking for new ways to say “I Love You” to the people they appreciate the most in life. This is the perfect Father’s Day or birthday gift for Dad! Some of the one - liners are adorable, “You have huge feet and I love wearing your shoes”, while others are as true as can be: “When I fall asleep in the car, you carry me to bed”. Whether it is playing in the park, helping with homework or just spending time together, this is the perfect way to show your appreciation to your favorite dear old DAD. (To share my favorite page with my own Daddy: “I’ve seen you sneak into the kitchen and steal cookies”.) They say anyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a Dad. Here is a unique way to show your dad he is not just your father. The book also contains a bookmark attached to it with a line to fill out a giver and receiver’s name as well as a blank page with five empty lines to personalize the gift. The illustrations compliment the text and I know it will serve as the perfect present on Sunday!

Book: I Love You Grandpa

Author: Susan Akass

Illustrator: Hannah George

Publisher: Cico Books

Pages: 64

Rating: 5 Stars

Does your Grandpa do magic tricks? Make great sandwiches? Take you on trips to the beach, museum or the park? Does your Papa take videos of you doing cute and funny things or teach you how to read maps? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is a must for the Grandfather in your life! With colorful and warm illustrations, there is no better way to tell Grandpa that you love everything he does with you! Tell your Grandfather he is the best this Father’s Day or on his birthday with this adorable book! The book has an attached bookmark to personalize who it is to and from as well as five empty lines on the last page. I cannot wait for my son to give this to his Grandpa on Father’s Day this Sunday!