Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
Topics
Substitute Groundhog
By: Pat Miller
Publisher: Albert Whitman

It’s almost Groundhog Day! Everyone knows that Groundhog has an important job to do every February 2, but this year he’s not feeling well. Dr. Owl diagnoses him with the flu and orders two days of bed rest. But how will people know the weather forecast if Groundhog is down in his hole in bed?

Then Groundhog has in idea — he can hire a substitute! Maybe Squirrel can be the substitute, or Eagle, or Bear. But at the subtitute auditions, Groundhog realizes that none of his friends is quite right …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

The Girls Book of Glamour: A Guide to Being a Goddess
By: Sally Jeffrie
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Transform yourself from drab to fab with this nifty guide to all things glamorous! Whether you want to have the shiniest hair or convince people you’re a celebrity, this book will show you how! Being a glamour goddess has never been so easy.

Inside this handy guide you’ll find instructions on how to host a spa party, create your own style, exit a limo gracefully, make your own body glitter, persuade your best friend to lend you her clothes, put on a fashion show, make your own jewelry box, and much, …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

Mackenzie Blue
By: Tina Wells
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Meet Mackenzie Blue, aka Zee. She has it all—smarts, talent, humor, and style.. Is it enough to survive middle school? Countdown to a 7th Grade Meltdown 1. Your BFF moves away, 2. Someone steals your diary and reveals your deepest secrets—to the entire class, 3. You have one chance to become a rock star and one chance to totally blow it. Guess what!? All three happened to me! School’s a disaster already. Don’t get me wrong—I love Brookdale Academy and I have a fabulous crew of friends. (At least, I …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

The Goodbye Time
By: Celeste Conway
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

AS LONG AS she can remember, Anna has lived in the same Upper West Side apartment with her parents and brother, Tom; she’s attended the same private school and had the same best friend, Katie. Katie has always loved hanging out with Anna’s family and escaping the tension in her own small apartment, where her single mom struggles to raise her severely mentally challenged brother.

But then something changes. Katie’s brother gets violent with her mother and now he’s going to live in a home. Suddenly Katie is angry with Anna, …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

Amy's Travels
By: Kathryn Starke
Publisher: Creative Minds Publications

Come join Amy as she travels to all seven continents. Amy’s Travels, based on a true story, teaches the geography, culture, and diversity of the world through the eyes of a young child.

Order this book from AMAZON.com

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
By: Jane O'Connor
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles — and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited about decorating the Christmas tree. She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and has been waiting for Christmas to come. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? In this merriest of stories from bestselling duo Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

The Christmas Magic
By: Lauren Thompson
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

A new Santa with one reindeer and a cat. He wears a blue suit with a golden star at the end of his pointed hat and bunny slippers .

Order this book from AMAZON.com

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues Series #1)
By: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Instead of 39 steps, billionaire Grace Cahill left her heirs 39 clues scattered around the world. At the end of this circuitous trail are the answers to a great family mystery, but Amy and Dan must decide whether any prize can be more important than the rescue of their missing parents. The beginning of an enthralling ten-book arc.

Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible decision: “You have a choice – one million dollars or a clue.”

Grace is the last matriarch of the …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

Wet Dog!
By: Elise Broach
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

On a hot, hot day, a good old dog just has to get some relief! Around the steamy country lanes, he sniffs and searches until he finds a chauffeur washing a shiny car, a baker scrubbing some sticky pans, and a florist spraying a pink bouquet. they’re all getting ready for a country wedding, and this overheated pup just wants to plunge into the fun-and water! but will the wedding party in their fancy finery welcome this gotta-be-cool pooch? Zany characters, zingy lines, and high-spirited scenes abound in this witty …

Order this book from AMAZON.com

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything
By: Elise Broach
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Just when a little boy thinks he’s going to die of boredom from running errands with his mom, the most remarkable, the most stupendous thing happens. He discovers that on this day, and this day only, stores everywhere are giving away a very special treat with any purchase. No, not the usual lollipop or sticker. Something bigger. Much, MUCH bigger. It’s a dream come true, except…what exactly do you do with these Jurassic treats? And how do you convince Mom to let you keep them?

Order this book from AMAZON.com