Homeschool Friday - Halle Takes a Stand

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Halle Takes a Stand (Good News for Little Hearts)

By: Paul David Tripp

Illustrated By: Joe Hox

Publication: March 31, 2022 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

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Goodreads description--This colorful, beautifully illustrated children's book invites children ages three through eight into Halle Hedgehog's world to learn alongside her how Jesus gives her courage to take a stand against meanness.

Halle Hedgehog has a group of school friends she sits with at lunch and plays with at recess. One day, the whole group excludes another girl and decides to be mean to her. This bothers Halle, but she doesn't say anything because she doesn't want to be excluded, too. Halle's teacher Mr. Owl talks to her about who she really needs to fit in with, and how she can speak out against bullying because Jesus is with her.

Parents and children will learn concrete, grace-based ways to deal with the pressures of fitting in. Edited by Paul David Tripp, Halle Takes a Stand ends with a special section that guides parents in teaching their children to respond with faith when fear or the overwhelming desire to fit in takes hold in their hearts.

Halle Takes a Stand is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, bringing gospel help and biblical counsel to families. Based on CCEF's model of hope and help, each story focuses on an animal family's real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus in the midst of challenging circumstances. Each individual story guides parents toward meaningful conversations with their kids, based on what Scripture has to say about living by faith in everyday life.

By providing biblical help and hope to issues every child faces through vivid illustrations and a story based on a different animal family, even the youngest child will be engaged. Each story offers practical ways to follow Jesus in difficult situations. Instead of a moralistic message, young readers are encouraged to develop a real relationship with the God who cares for them.

I absolutely love the Good News for Little Hearts series. There's always a Scripture where a book dedication usually stands. Halle Takes a Stand features Proverbs 29:25, "If you are afraid of people, it will trap you. But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe." Halle Takes a Stand is 32 pages long, but of course, it isn't an AR book so finding an exact book level for reading purposes would just have to be a guess, but I would put these books on par with the Berenstain Bears which ranges from a level-2 to a level-4. Either way, this is a book that I've read to my kids, not a book that my kids have grabbed for supplemental reading purposes (at least so far).

The book starts with a Friday waffle day in the Hedgehog House. Halle and Henry are off to school. At lunch, Halle's science partner, Freya, tried to sit at her lunch table, but Maddie had a thing against frogs and was ugly and teasing. When Freya walked away, Maddie continued to loudly talk down about frogs. Halle laughed and joined in a bit with the others making fun of Freya. Little did Halle know that their teacher Mr. Owl had come up behind them. He asked Halle to stay and talked to her a bit about what happened. When she got home that night, her parents noticed her different behavior, and Halle admitted that Mr. Owl had sent home a note for them to read. Mama and Papa talked to Halle about the unkind things said about Freya. Mama shared a story of her childhood when another girl made fun of her in front of everyone and how one friend stuck up for her. Papa tells Halle that doing the right thing is not easy, but Jesus welcomed the friendless, and we should too. Papa and Mama pray for Halle to be brave and trust God. Papa gives Halle a piece of paper with Proverbs 29:25 written on it. And then Papa asked if Halle could see how Maddie trapped her. Papa guides Halle to pray and ask Jesus for forgiveness. The next morning Halle goes to school early to talk to Mr. Owl. She shares her discussion with her parents with him. And then Mr. Owl reinforced Halle's parents' lesson. At lunchtime, Halle had the opportunity to stand up to Maddie and defend Freya, which she did. After Maddie was ousted from her table, the only table left was the bullfrog boys. Maddie has an embarassing moment, but Halle stands up to comfort Maddie.

At the end of the book is a section to parents about helping children with peer pressure. And then finally, there are four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" that you can pull out and give to your child/children for when they want to fit in. Proverbs 29:25, Matthew 11:28, John 15:13, and Psalm 62:11-12.

Picture books that teach about Biblical character in a way that children can understand and apply in their lives are among my top favorite books. This entire series is great. Halle Takes a Stand gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Halle Takes a Stand? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Tomas Looks Up and Out

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Tomas Looks Up and Out (Good News for Little Hearts)

By: J. Alasdair Groves

Illustrated By: Jo Hox

Publication: October 9, 2023 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Tomas Looks Up and Out helps children learn how God considers us and wants us to look to him for help so that we consider others too. Tomas Turtle starts his day thinking more about himself than others. Not only is he annoyed that his sister Tori’s cough kept him awake, but he also brags to all of his friends about his successes. It’s not until he gets sick and his friends take care of him that Tomas learns to look up to God and out to others. Edited by counselor Alasdair Groves, Tomas Looks Up and Out offers concrete, grace-based help for growing in empathy and is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, which brings gospel wisdom and biblical counsel to families. Based on CCEF’s model of hope and help, each story focuses on an animal family’s real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus during challenging circumstances.

I absolutely love the Good News for Little Hearts series. There's always a Scripture where a book dedication usually stands. Tomas Looks Up and Out features Philippians 2:4, "None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others." Tomas Looks Up and Out is 32 pages long, but of course, it isn't an AR book so finding an exact book level for reading purposes would just have to be a guess, but I would put these books on par with the Berenstain Bears which ranges from a level-2 to a level-4. Either way, this is a book that I've read to my kids, not a book that my kids have grabbed for supplemental reading purposes (at least so far).

The book starts with Tomas Turtle being annoyed by the noises coming from downstairs because it's Saturday, and he normally gets to sleep in on Saturday. His mother explains that Tori has been up all night, and she's not feeling well. But Tomas is only annoyed with his missing sleep. Tomas comes in that afternoon with his friend Henry bragging about making the swimming team. He interrupts his father and tells his parents that Henry didn't make the team because too much water isn't good for hedgehogs. Later, Tomas and Buster are sliding down the grassy hill. Tomas bursts through the front door bragging about beating Buster down the hill. His mother pulls him aside to discuss how Buster might be feeling. Tomas blows her off because Buster wins all the time. After dinner, Tomas isn't feeling well. Tori, knowing how it feels to be sick, offers Tomas the remote and a hot water bottle that she had been using. Tomas, however, was too frustrated with being sick to notice Tori taking care of him. The next day, Tomas's friends show up with some supplies to help him feel better. A mishap has the two friends covered in water, but instead of being angry and frustrated, they just laughed. Tomas realized that his friends could have been out doing anything else, but instead they had come to see and help him. That night before bed, he makes things right by apologizing to Tori, who forgives him. Tori also shares a piece of paper from her nightstand which shares Philippians 2:4. Tomas goes to bed, looks up to God, and asks for help to look out for others. The next morning, Tomas is feeling better, but his mom shares that Buster and Henry are now feeling sick. Tomas asks his mother if they should take them some soup.

At the end of the book is a section to parents about helping children learn to walk in another's shoes. And the finally, there are four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" that you can pull out and give to your child/children for when they are lonely. Matthew 7:12, Romans 12:15, Philippians 2:4, and 1 Peter 3:8.

Picture books that teach about Biblical character in a way that children can understand and apply in their lives are among my top favorite books. This entire series is great. Tomas Looks Up and Out gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Tomas Looks Up and Out? What did you think? Let me know

Homeschool Friday - Tori Comes Out of Her Shell

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Tori Comes Out of Her Shell (Good News for Little Hearts, # 5)

By: Jayne V. Clark

Illustrated By: Jo Hox

Publication: October 7, 2019 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Tori the turtle feels all alone. She has just moved to a new pond and a new school with her family and it seems like everyone has a friend except her. Her teacher notices she feels alone and helps her remember Jesus is always her friend and then along the way she makes some new friends. The last page contains information for Christian parents on how God, in his Word, helps us turn to Jesus when we are lonely. Together children and parents will be guided into meaningful conversations about living by faith in the details of everyday life. Also included is a tear-out page of Back Pocket Bible Verses that will give children a practical way to remember God's words when they feel all alone. A new series of hardback, illustrated. Christian children's books for three-to eight-year-olds each centered on an animal family bringing gospel help and biblical counsel to families in need of the Christian word. The animal characters, colorful illustrations, and the real-life issues each animal family face will captivate children. The first three books address anxiety, anger, and failure, bringing biblical help and hope to issues every child faces.

I absolutely love the Good News for Little Hearts series. There's always a Scripture where a book dedication usually stands. Tori Comes Out of Her Shell features Matthew 28:20, "I am with you always," which Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection and before His ascension. Tori Comes Out of Her Shell is 32 pages long, but of course, it isn't an AR book so finding an exact book level for reading purposes would just have to be a guess, but I would put these books on par with the Berenstain Bears which ranges from a level-2 to a level-4. Either way, this is a book that I've read to my kids, not a book that my kids have grabbed for supplemental reading purposes (at least so far).

The book starts with the Turtle family moving from their home in Woodland Pond to Mulberry Meadow. Tomas and Ted spy new friends to play with, but Tori hides in her shell. School starts the next day, but Tori is worried. What if no one talks to her? What if she has no one to play with at recess? Or what if she's made fun of? Unfortunately, Tori doesn't talk to her mom about her fears. At school, Tori struggles to introduce herself to the class, she sits by herself at recess, and she worries about embarrassing herself. Thankfully, Miss Minnick, the teacher, comes over to encourage her. Miss Minnick shares her own story about being the new kid in school. Miss Minnick gives Tori a piece of paper that her own father once gave her. At church on Sunday, Tori notices a Bible (Great Book as the story calls it) verse behind the preacher. And she thanks God for always being with her and being her friend.

At school on Monday, she notices an old school bell sliding up to her. Tori comes out of her shell to see if someone needs help. Turns out that Gertie Gecko was trying to mimic Tori's shell with the school bell. Gertie explains that she sometimes feels lonely and thought Tori's shell looked like a good hiding place. The two talk and decide to help each other. Tori shares the paper that Miss Minnick gave her. It says, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." And Tori shares Jesus's offer of friendship to Gertie. They decide to be friends. Tori also invites Gertie to church with her.

At the end of the book is a section to parents about helping children with loneliness. And the finally, there are four "Back Pocket Bible Verses" that you can pull out and give to your child/children for when they are lonely. Matthew 28:20, Genesis 16:13, Proverbs 18:24, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 32:7, and Psalm 139:1.

Picture books that teach about Biblical character in a way that children can understand and apply in their lives are among my top favorite books. This entire series is great. Tori Comes Out of Her Shell gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Tori Comes Out of Her Shell? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Clifford for President

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Clifford for President (Clifford the Big Red Dog)

By: Acton Figueroa

Illustrated By: Tom La Padula

Publication: October 1, 2004 by Scholastic Inc.

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Level-2, Early Reader, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Clifford is running for President . . . of the Birdwell Island dog park! Emily Elizabeth needs to put up a candidate for a class project, so of course she nominates the Big Red Dog who's always a big winner!

Clifford for President is an early reader that we were given by a friend passing down some books her children no longer needed. AR Book Finder lists it as a Level 2.7. Emily Elizabeth's class learned about the presidential election. The next day Emily Elizabeth and Clifford go for a walk in the park and notice that the trash cans are overflowing. Clifford picks up some trash and throws it into the trash can. Emily Elizabeth says that Clifford should be the president of the park because he would make it clean as a whistle. She decides to go home and make some campaign posters. Jetta sees the posters and wants her dog, Mac, to be president because "he's the best dog." Jetta and Emily Elizabeth manage the campaigns for their dogs, and the kids take a vote. Before that, the kids see Clifford actually cleaning up the park. So who do you think wins? The best dog? Or the best dog for the job?

My adult brain thinks, "Isn't there a parks and recreation department over the park? I don't think anyone can just become president of the park." But I know, I know. This is all fiction indended to teach the child a lesson about elections and not just voting because you like someone, but voting for the person you think will serve the office the best. I thought it taught the concept well enough on a basic level, even if my adult brain sees flaws that a child would never notice.

I don't think Clifford for President is going to win any awards, but if you're looking for level 2 readers for your child, then it checks a lot of my boxes. I appreciate that there's a lesson to learn, and it isn't just a fun story. So often, early readers have no purpose besides helping the child get reading fluency. There's no reason why we can't do both at the same time. Clifford for President gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Clifford for President? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Let's Go for a Drive

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Let's Go for a Drive (Elephant & Piggie, # 18) (Biggie 1, # 4)

By: Mo Willems

Publication: October 2, 2012 by Hyperion Books for Children

64 pages

Genre: Children's, Animals, Level-1, Early Reader, Humor, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Gerald is careful. Piggie is not.
Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can.
Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.
Gerald and Piggie are best friends.
In Let's Go for a Drive Gerald and Piggie want to hit the road. But the best-laid plans of pigs and elephants often go awry.

Let's Go for a Drive is the fourth Elephant and Piggie story included in Biggie 1 even though Goodreads lists it as # 18 in the series. Elephant and Piggie books are books that my then seven-year-old wanted to read. They are lengthy books (64 pages) for this reading level. I love this. Most pages only have a sentence or two at most, so my son didn't feel overwhelmed and can read through the books quickly. These are all AR Level 1 (a couple of them are 0.5 and 0.6) so the words aren't complex or difficult.

Gerald gets the great idea to go on a drive and asks Piggie to go also. The realize they need a plan and a map. Then they need sunglasses. Piggie is great at getting the things they will need for their drive. Planning ahead means they may need umbrellas. The realize they have a lot to take with them, so they need bags to carry their stuff. Ultimately, they realize they don't have a car.

The illustrations for Let's Go for a Drive make the series and bring the words to life. Any book that can get my son to enjoy any part of the reading process is a win for me. Let's Go for a Drive gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read Let's Go for a Drive. What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Mr. Popper's Penguins

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

By: Richard Atwater & Florence Atwater

Publication: January 1, 1938

69 pages

Genre: Children's, Classics, Fantasy, Animals, Humor, Middle Grade

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--It was hard enough for Mr. Popper to support himself, Mrs. Popper, Bill and Janie Popper. The addition of twelve penguins to the family made it impossible to make both ends meet. Then Mr. Popper had a splendid idea—the talented penguins would be a sensation on the stage. And so they were....

A classic of American humor, this story of a gentle house-painter and his high-stepping penguins has delighted children for generations.

I've been doing chapter read-alouds with my kids for a few years now, but we finally have a rotational system where we rotate who gets to pick the book I read. We go in age order, and I also get a turn. Mr. Popper's Penguins was actually my pick. I thought it would be a good read-aloud for the Christmas season without being a "Christmas" book, and it was a good choice.

My kids range in age from 10 to 4 (almost 5--at the time of reading this book) so this was a good choice for the three of them. The story wasn't complicated or long. It wasn't too much for them to pay attention. The chapters were short enough that I would read two in one sitting without them even realizing it, and at that pace I was able to read about 10% per night that I read. I read this during our bedtime routine on the nights it was my turn to put the kids to bed. (Husband and I alternate nights.)

Mr. Popper is a painter. And the majority of his work comes during the spring. It seems that he mostly has the winter off work. But sitting around the house with nothing to do can cause him some depression as well as get on Mrs. Popper's nerves. Mr. Popper also loves reading about travelers and explorers. Apparently, he wrote a letter to Admiral Drake who is at the South Pole doing a study and the Admiral sent him a penguin. Of course, as an adult, I know this is ridiculous, but it makes sense to the children.

Mr. Popper is so excited to have a penguin as a pet. Mrs. Popper is surprisingly on board, even when they turn their refridgerator into it's home. I actually found this as refreshing as I did unreasonable. So often, husbands and wives are displayed in literature as being at odds. Mr. & Mrs. Popper were different while not being on opposing sides of their marriage. Their children Bill and Janie also love the penguin.

However, Captain Cook (the penguin) began to get sick overtime. Mr. Popper writes to a couple of people to ask for advice and gets sent a female penguin which does bolster both penguins, but it also results in like 10 babies. Mr. Popper and Mrs. Popper end up entertaining their penguins by creating a show with them. They travel around the country to different theaters to show off their penguins, but by the summer the penguins begin to be unhappy again. I won't tell you how the book ends, but I will say that we enjoyed it.

Mr. Popper's Penguins was just a fun book all around. It wasn't too complicated. The stakes weren't too high. It wasn't filled with too much action. It was just an all-around good classic book that I and my children enjoyed. Mr. Popper's Penguins gets a stable 4 Stars. Have you read Mr. Popper's Penguins? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - On the Job

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Berenstain Bears: On the Job

By: Stan & Jan Berenstain

Publication: October 12, 1987 by Random House Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Illus. in full color. Brother and Sister meet Firebear Bob, Police Officer Marguerite, and others as they try to discover "What will I be when I grow up?".

I still have my original 1987 edition of On the Job from my childhood. This was one of my favorite books as a child because of the variety of the pictures and topics.My kids have all requested this book over and over through the years. AR Book Finder lists this book as a level 2.5. So when my son was reading level 2 books, I grabbed this one to put in our stack of level 2 books. 

On the Job is told in rhyming verse. There are varying rhyme patterns throughout the book, but mostly it follows an ABCB pattern. Brother and Sister Bear take a walk around Bear Country to check out different types of jobs available. Firefighter, police officer, bus driver, ambulance driver, truck driver, mechanic/fixer, teacher, doctor, store owner, banker, engineer, scientist, builder, wrecker, singer, news anchor, astronomer, astronaut, programmer, environmentalist, beekeeper, carpenter, farmer, or forester. And then the book ends with telling the kids that even if they don't know what they want to be yet, that's okay; what they want to be might not have been invented yet. And it encourages kids to pick a job that they enjoy. 

There's not much that I feel the need to say about this book, but anytime that my kids don't fight me on actually reading for themselves, I count that as a win. On the Job gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read The Berenstain Bears: On the Job? What did you think? Let me know!

*It looks like this book might have been re-released under the title Jobs Around Town which seems to be part of the Living Lights series with Biblical inclusion.

Homeschool Friday - Jake Plays Ball

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Jake Plays Ball

By: Crystal Bowman

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Jake’s friend Jason comes over to play with Jake and wants to play baseball. After Jason hits the ball several times, Jake wants a turn to bat. Jake keeps striking out, so Jason gets frustrated and goes home. Jake is discouraged at his inability to play baseball. Mother assures Jake that with patience, practice, and God’s help, he will learn to hit the ball too. Grandma comes over for a visit and Jake asks her to play baseball with him. Grandma has the time, patience, and encouragement Jake needs to learn how to hit the ball.

Jake Plays Ball is a Zonderkidz Level 2 reader. A friend gave us this book, and my son read it at 7 years old and in the 2nd grade. To be honest, I was a little distracted while he was reading it to me because my younger son was acting up. But I didn't notice him having any trouble with the words. It is 32 pages, which is the average page count for most level-1 and level-2 readers in my experience.

As for the content, I loved the story behind Jake Plays Ball. Jake's friend Dan comes over and wants to play baseball. Dan is good at baseball and hits the ball over Jake's head each time. When Jake takes a turn, he doesn't do well and misses the ball every time. I loved that Jake's mom tells him that God made him good at other things, and she names a few of those things. Then she goes on to tell Jake that he can be good at baseball, too, if he practices. Jake asks his grandma to play with him. She helps him, and he's able to hit the ball. I love that God is incorporated. These younger level readers don't have to be stories that are all fluff just because they are at an easier level. The stories can still incorporate God and morals. Working hard, praying for help, understanding that we are all different and have different talents given to us by God. All of those are great lessons that I want my children to learn.

Jake Plays Ball gets 5 Stars from me. If you can have a leveled reader that can help my child with reading fluency as well as present good morals, lessons, and include God then that book is a winner in my opinion. I'd recommend this book to any child reading at level-2. Have you or your child read Jake Plays Ball? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Jake's Brave Night

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Jake's Brave Night

By: Crystal Bowman

Publication: June 10, 2007 by Zonderkidz

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Early Reader, Level-2, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Jake is excited about having his own bedroom, but when it comes time to go to sleep, he is afraid of the dark and afraid of being alone. Jake tries to conquer his fears by turning on the bedroom light. When that doesn’t work, he takes his animals to bed with him. Then he tries crawling under his bed. When none of these methods work, he crawls back into bed and finally falls asleep. The next morning, when Jake tells his parents what happened, they get him a night light and remind him that God is with him all night long. The next night Jake has no trouble falling asleep.

Jake's Brave Night is a ZonderKidz Level-2 reader. Jake is used to sleeping in the room with his sister, but now that he's growing up, he has his own bed and bedroom. He does his bedtime routine which includes brushing his teeth, puting on his pajamas, his father reads him a Bible story, and his mother prays for him before bed. But Jake has trouble sleeping. First he's scared of the dark so he turns on the light. Then his stuffed animals have scary shadows so he turns the light back off. Then he feels lonely so he grabs his stuffed animals to sleep with but there's no room. He puts them back up, but tries to sleep under the bed instead. But now the floor is hard and cold. He finally goes to sleep, but he is so tired the next day. His parents talk to him about not being alone in his bed at night because God is always with him, and God never sleeps. The next night Jake is able to sleep peacefully.

It's funny that my son chose to read this when he did. He's going through a phase of waking up scared and lonely during the night for about a month now. I love that Jake's Brave Night incorporates God, prayer, and peace. This story could have easily been fluff. So many of our level-2 readers are just mindnumbingly boring stories. But having a story that encourages faith in God and His protection over us in this way is exactly what children need to be reading.

Jake's Brave Night gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Jake's Brave Night? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Clifford's Manners

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Clifford's Manners (Clifford the Big Red Dog)

By: Norman Bridwell

Publication: April 1, 1987 by Cartwheel

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1, Level-2, Family, Manners

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--Clifford, the big red dog, displays his good manners by saying "please" and "thank you," waiting his turn, sharing, and being a good sport in games

I absolutely love Clifford's Manners. If you are familiar with Clifford the Big Red Dog, then you already know the characters involved in this book. The book starts off with Emily Elizabeth saying that everyone loves Clifford because he has good manners. Good manners definitely make one more enjoyable to be around than someone without them. And so every page is dedicated to a different manner. There is an example of Clifford using the manner and then instructions for everyone. For example: "Clifford says 'please' when he asks for something. Say please." with a picture of Clifford pointing to bags of dog food and holding a sign that says "please."

Saying thank you. Writing thank you notes. Waiting your turn. Not littering. Saying excuse me. Not talking during a movie. Using a handkerchief. Sharing. Putting away toys. Following the rules. Talking without hitting. Being a good sport. Calling ahead before a visit. Not being late. Knocking before entering. Wiping your feet. Shaking hands. Washing up before you eat. Not talking with your mouth full. Helping clean up. Saying good-bye. If these are manners that you appreciate in your kids, then read Clifford's Manners with them. Over and over. The examples are simple and show the ideal.

Clifford's Manners gets 5 Stars from me. This is an easy book to read. The words aren't complicated or complex. AR Book Finder rates is a level 1.9. Have you or your child read Clifford's Manners? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - If You Give a Dog a Donut

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

If You Give a Dog a Donut (If You Give a..., # 8)

By: Laura Joffe Numeroff

Illustrated By: Felicia Bond

Publication: October 4, 2011 by HarperCollins

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-2

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--If you give a dog a donut, he’ll ask for some apple juice to go with it. When you give him the juice, he’ll drink it all up. Then, before you can say “Woof”... Dog is off on a backyard adventure!

The exuberant dog who first appeared in 'If You Give a Pig a Party' (2005) is now the star of his very own book. Written in the irresistible 'If You Give...' tradition, 'If You Give a Dog a Donut' (2011) is another home run from the beloved team of Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.

Fans of 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' (1985) will love this joyful new addition! This book is a great introduction to the 'If You Give...' Series, and also a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, 'If You Give a Dog a Donut' (2011) is perfect for beginning readers and story time. Sure to inspire giggles and requests to "read it again!" for years to come.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a classic. And my kids have all been familiar with it. When my son was born, I choose a moose theme for his nursery, so it only made sense to get If You Give a Moose a Muffin. And then when we had a donut-themed birthday party for my son's first birthday, If You Give a Dog a Donut was a given. Accelerated Reader ranks If You Give a Dog a Donut as level 2.1. My kids love these books.

If You Give a Dog a Donut follows a dog and his kid. The dog starts out with a donut, but of course, he's going to need some juice to wash it down. The dog bounces around from thing to thing, being triggered by one item to the next. The concept for these stories had to come from a parent or grandparent. I actually giggle internally when reading these books because it's such an accurate portrayal of how children behave. The items always end up coming full circle.

There isn't necessarily a moral to this story, but I think it does give children a bird's eye view of how exhausting it can be to be the one constantly trying to satisfy someone who is randomly bouncing around from one thing to the next. Either way, these are clean, enjoyable books that the whole family loves. If You Give a Dog a Donut gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read If You Give a Dog a Donut? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Gus Loses His Grip

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Gus Loses His Grip: When You Want Something Too Much (Good News for Little Hearts)

Edited By: David Powlison

Illustrated By: Joe Hox

Publication: October 5, 2019 by New Growth Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Christian, Manners

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Gus, a raccoon who loves all things sweet, learns what happens when you want something too much. After Gus gets caught taking candy from the store, Papa reminds him that temptation might be strong for us, but it’s not too strong for Jesus. Both Gus and Papa can ask Jesus for help when they want something too much. The last page contains information for parents on how God, in his Word, helps us turn to Jesus when we are tempted. Together children and parents will be guided into meaningful conversations about living by faith in the details of everyday life. Also included is a tear-out page of “Back Pocket Bible Verses” that will give children a practical way to remember God’s words when they want something too much. A new series of hardback, illustrated children’s books for three-to eight-year-olds—each centered on an animal family—bring gospel help and biblical counsel to families. The animal characters, colorful illustrations, and the real-life issues each animal family face will captivate children. The first three books address anxiety, anger, and failure, bringing biblical help and hope to issues every child faces.

Gus Loses His Grip is not rated by Accelerated Reader, so I don't know what level it would be considered. I got this as part of my manners lessons for my kids in our homeschool. This is a book that I have read to my kids and not one that they have read independently. Yet anyway.

Gus Loses His Grip starts with Gus's family picking strawberries, and Gus goes a little crazy stuffing strawberries in his mouth. His mom reminds him to leave some for the rest of them. Gus also has a secret stash of candy. And he realizes one night that he's out of candy because he's already eaten it all. The next morning is Easter, and the family rule is no candy before breakfast, and no Easter basket until after Papa shares the Easter message with the family. Gus has a hard time waiting. After Easter, Mama take the kids to the market to take advantage of after Easter sales. They come upon a candy store where the owner is offering a free sample. While the grownups are distracted in conversation, Gus realizes that Lyle is sneaking more than one free sample. Lyle and Gus begin to stuff all the candy into their pockets. Eventually, Gus's parents realize what he's done, and Papa forces Gus to confess to the store owner that he stole from him. The store owner forgives Gus. Papa discusses the weight hiding his sin with Gus, and Gus admits that in the moment he loves the sweets, but after the moment passes, shame and guilt set in. Papa realizes that the whole family has been a little wrapped up in consumerism. But Papa teaches Gus that our sin isn't too strong for Jesus. He shares a Bible verse with Gus and keeps the same one in his own pocket.

I absolutely love this series of books (Good News for Little Hearts). The stories don't always go in the direction that I expect. I love that the sin was both obvious (Gus hiding candy and stealing extra samples) as well as not so obvious (Mama taking advantage of after Easter sales just because, and Papa buying fishing gear he doesn't need). I liked that Papa forced Gus to confess his sin to the store owner. Gus also asks for forgiveness, which is a step that people often leave out when apologizing to someone else. The store owner clearly offers his forgiveness. I appreciated the discussion that Papa had with Gus to make it clear that sin might feel good in the moment, but it doesn't stay that way. And the weight of sin is heavy indeed. I loved Jesus's sacrifice, death, and resurrection in the Easter message being shared clearly and concisely. And I love the idea of carrying a Bible verse in our pocket for something that we're struggling with to be able to pull out and read to remind us of what God says about this topic and to remind us that He fights for us as well. There's also a section at the end of the book that includes tips for helping your child if this is a particular area they struggle with. And there are perforated Bible verses that you could punch out and either carry yourself or give to your child to carry and read.

Good News for Little Hearts is always packed with such good messages. The stories are engaging and relatable. Gus Loses His Grip is no different. The messaging is on point, 100%, and the story is something that all kids can relate to at some point or other. And parents can even take a check-up on themselves to see if they're falling prey to consumerism or thinking that "things" will satisfy them. Gus Loses His Grip gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Gus Loses His Grip? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Bad Seed

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Bad Seed (The Food Group, # 1)

By: Jory John

Illustrated By: Pete Oswald

Publication: May 8, 2018 by HarperCollins

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-2

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know? He has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. He's been bad since he can remember!

With Jory John's charming and endearing text and bold expressive illustrations by Pete Oswald, here is The Bad Seed: a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you. Perfect for young readers, as well as anyone navigating their current world, The Bad Seed proves that positive change is possible for each and every one of us.

When I first read The Bad Seed I was a little torn. In some ways, it seemed like the seed was completely fine being bad. He seemed proud to be bad. There's an explanation of some hard things he's been through in his life. And now he's made up his mind to be better. I like that he chooses the be good in the end even though he isn't perfect. It shows that all people mess up sometimes, and that's okay. But the effort we make in trying to be good is what matters most.

Accelerated Reader lists The Bad Seed as a level-2 book. My son likes this book a lot, so he didn't fight me on reading it at all. I don't remember him stumbling on too many words. And I was so proud of him for getting "unremarkable" on the first try.

The Bad Seed gets 4 Stars from us. I felt a little conflicted on the messaging, but ultimately, we like the story. Have you or your child read The Bad Seed? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Be Kind

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Be Kind

By: Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrated By: Jen Hill

Publication: February 6, 2018 by Roaring Brook Press

32 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Friendship, Fiction, Manners

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate link. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A picture book about the power of kindness.

When Tanisha spills grape juice all over her new dress, her classmate contemplates how to make her feel better and what it means to be kind. From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving and thoughtful story explores what a child can do to be kind, and how each act, big or small, can make a difference--or at least help a friend.

We've had Be Kind for a long time. I'm always looking for books that have good morals. Be Kind does a great job of showcasing diversity without it being forced. Be Kind is a story about a girl who witnesses a friend at school spill grape juice on herself. The main character (I don't think we ever learn her name) is wondering how to help her friend feel better. So she goes through the process of thinking through some things that might help Tanisha and what it means to be kind.

I know that Accelerated Reader wasn't a perfect program, but I do like to use it as a guide to figure out which books are on my child's reading level. Be Kind is listed as a 2.2 Level book. There were a few names that were a struggle for my son. Tanisha, Rabbi Mandelbaum, Desmond. For the most part, he didn't need much help other than those names.

Be Kind is my favorite kind of picture book. It has a great message. The illustrations are meaningful to the story. And my child didn't fight me about reading it. Be Kind gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read Be Kind? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Seth and Beth

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Seth and Beth

By: Jenny Phillips

Illustrated By: Alessia Ray

Publication: January 1, 2019 by The Good and the Beautiful

91 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Christian, Level-2

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | The Good and the Beautiful )

*Note: The above link to The Good and the Beautiful is NOT an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Seth and Beth are the best of friends. They love to spend time together, going on adventures in the woods. However, trouble seems to follow them everywhere they go. Become a part of their tales of fun and mishap as they find out that as long as they have each other and God, they can get through anything.

Seth and Beth is a Level-2 reader from The Good and the Beautiful. It is 91 pages long, broken into three "books" with three chapters each. Each book begins with a list of challenging words included in that book. I like this because you can go over the more difficult words with your child beforehand, and hopefully, they will recognize them as they come upon them in the story.

Seth and Beth are friends who live next door to each other. In the first book, they ride their bikes to the pond, but Beth gets hurt on the way home. Seth has to go home without her to bring help back. Seth prays to God for help. Book 2 is about Seth's family's bake shop catching on fire. Seth and Beth devise a plan to pick and sell apples from Beth's apple tree to help pay for the repairs to the bakery. In the last book, Seth and Beth build a raft. They come back the next day to find a boy has commandeered their raft. They decide to behave like Jesus and treat the boy with kindness. All three kids end up as friends and play with the raft together.

This is exactly what I love about books from The Good and the Beautiful. All of these stories carry wonderful messages and morals. The first focuses on relying on God for help. The second shows that we can all step in to help out in times of trouble. And the third shows that by treating others with kindness, we can all win. Early level readers don't have to be pointless just because they use smaller, easier-to-read words. They can still have a moral and a message.

Seth and Beth gets 5 Stars from me for the messages and morals included in each story. My son read this without arguining or freaking out. And I love how these readers are slowly introducing my son to chapters and longer books so he can see that it's possible for him to read longer books. Have you or your child read Seth and Beth? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross

By: Carl Laferton

Illustrated By: Catalina Echeverri

Publication: February 18, 2016 by The Good Book Company

33 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Christian, Nonfiction

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This picture book takes children on a journey from the garden of Eden to God's prefect new creation.

Retelling the Easter story through a Bible overview, children will discover that 'because of our sin, we can't go in' but because of Jesus' victory on the cross, an even better garden awaits us...

The Garden, The Curtain, & The Cross is a Christian children's picture book that condenses the entire story of the Bible into 33 pages. It starts with the Garden of Eden where everything was perfect and wonderful. There was nothing bad and nothing sad. And better yet, God was also there. Then Adam and Eve sinned and decided they didn't want God to be in charge. And they were kicked out of the garden. To show people they had to stay outside of the garden, God put angels in front of the garden as a big keep out sign. Now things were sometimes bad and sometimes sad. People continued to sin because they didn't want God to be in charge. And God said, "Because of your sin, you can't come in." The book states that God wanted the people to remember the wonderfulness of living with Him, so He instructed them to build a special building called His temple, where He would reside. This isn't entirely true. David had the idea to build a temple for God, and God agreed. Regardless, in the middle of the temple was a wonderful place where God was with nothing bad and nothing sad. And God told the people to put a big curtain that had pictures of angels on it as a big keep out sign. For hundreds of years, the temple curtain reminded the people that God said, "Because of your sin, you can't come in." It goes through Jesus's birth and dedication at the temple. And then discusses that because people still didn't want God to be in charge, they put Jesus to death on the cross. But Jesus had a plan. On the cross, Jesus took our sins. All the bad things we do, and all the sad things they cause, and the curtain tore. The big keep out sign was ripped up. Because Jesus died, we can go in! The book also discusses Jesus's resurrection and His invitation to everyone to come and live with Him in heaven.

That's a shortened and simplified message of the gospel of Christ. It's written in a way that young kids can understand the message. I like that the positive pages are beautifully illustrated with vivid color. Whereas, the negative or sad pages are black, white, and sepia-toned. The contrast is visually striking.

I only had minimal issues with the content of the book. The overall message was spot on. And this is an easy way to get children to hear and see that gosepl of Christ and the entire Bible message in an understandable format for their ages. The Garden, The Curtain, and The Cross gets 5 Stars from me. Have you or your child read The Garden, The Curtain, and The Cross? What did you think? Let me know!

*Edit to add: I don't worry too much about whether or not this contains the entirety of the Biblical plan of salvation or that some details aren't entirely accurate because I will be continually teaching my children through the Bible and not children's books alone the gospel message. It's not like I will be consistently referencing The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross for my children as the message of Jesus. This is intended (on my part anyway) to be an introduction to the gospel message. My teaching will not start or stop with this book. Thus, I don't care too much about the inaccuracies, and I will take the opportunity to discuss inaccuracies with them as I feel they are ready for them.

Homeschool Friday - The Magical Yet

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Magical Yet

By: Angela DiTerlizzi

Illustrated By: Lorena Álvarez

Publication: April 14, 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

40 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Inspirational, Growth Mindset

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--This Yet finds a way, even when you don't,
And, Yet knows you will, when you think you won't.

Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion--the Yet. Can't tie your shoes? Yet! Can't ride a bike? Yet! Can't play the bassoon? Don't worry, Yet is there to help you out.

Told in tight rhyme reminiscent of the great Dr. Seuss himself, this rollicking, inspirational picturebook is perfect for every kid who is frustrated by what they can't do . . . YET!

The Magical Yet is pretty much what you expect it to be. This is a book all about teaching children that just because you can't do something now doesn't mean you won't be able to in the future. If we change our attitudes from "I can't" to "I can't yet" we open up a whole new world of possibilities. And we don't just give up trying to learn something new.

I don't fully love the idea of "The Magical Yet" being an entity. But I did like the idea of showing children all of the things they've already gone from being unable to do to able (ex: walking). I like how hard work and practice, mixed with perseverance and determination, are what is highlighted in this book.

There is a rhyming scheme. Usually ABCB. Sometimes rhyming schemes mess me up when I'm reading aloud because they aren't always the words I'm expecting to come next.

The Magical Yet is a 4.5 Star book for me. The messaging is good. I just don't like that "yet" is a being. I don't know why this feels like such a big deal to me. But keeping on keeping on, trying again and again...all of those messages are ones that I want to reiterate to my children. Have you or your child read The Magical Yet? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - This Book Is On Fire!

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

This Book Is On Fire!: A Funny And Interactive Story For Kids

By: Ron Keres

Illustrated By: Arthur Lin

Publication: February 26, 2024 by Flypaper Press

48 pages

Genre: Children's, Animal, Humor, Interactive

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From the creators of the best-selling This Book Is Perfect!, comes a sizzling new story that tackles the trials of dealing with picky eaters…

Meet Finn the Frog, who takes immense pride in his extraordinary book. But even more than that, Finn is renowned for his world-famous kitchen and his exceptional culinary skills. With his self-proclaimed greatness as a chef, he believes he can conquer any cooking challenge. Little does he know, he's about to face one of the most formidable challenges in the culinary world—cooking for a picky kid.

In this fiery and interactive journey, Finn sets out to please his hungry reader with dish after dish. Will his froggy flavors ignite to culinary chaos, or will Finn discover the secret ingredient to win over the finicky eater?

This Book Is On Fire! combines witty storytelling with captivating illustrations, making it an absolute must-have for your bookshelf. Order your copy today and share the laughter with your little ones!

I'm always looking for books that my 8-year-old son will be interested in reading. Since this book seemed humorous, I thought that might be a good place to start.

This Book Is On Fire and Fin the Frog reminds me of The Monster at the End of this Book starring Grover by Jon Stone. Fin is a chef in this book, and he's trying to make food for "you". First, he makes some pasta, but "you" don't like green stuff, even though it's imported from Italy. Next, he makes meatloaf. Only he added a little Mississippi mud to it. So "you" don't like that. So he decides to make his best dish, Brazilian ribeye with whipped potatoes. But the meat's been soaked in pond water. So "you're" not a fan. "You" finally ask for a grilled cheese, but he gets distracted and burns it and catches the book on fire. But hey, "you" like slightly burned grilled cheese sandwiches. It wraps up on the note that not all mistakes are a bad thing.

I can see my kids, especially my youngest, appreciating this book. I don't know that it would have them laughing or giggling, but I can picture it. They sure do love The Monster at the End of this Book. So who knows? The food the frog makes is something the kids would get a kick out of yucking over. But it also reminds me of my son, except he HATES burned grilled cheese sandwiches. And if I ever accidentally burn one somehow it always ends up being his.

This Book Is On Fire gets 4 Stars. Have you or your child read This Book Is On Fire? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - A Crown for Kate

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

A Crown for Kate

By: Jenny Phillips

Illustrated By: Ekaterina Kolesnikova

Publication: January 1, 2020 by The Good and the Beautiful

55 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books, Level-1

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads )

Description--Travel to a land long ago where a girl named Kate wants nothing more than to be a real queen one day. Although Kate, being blind, can’t see the beautiful mill and land where she lives, she can feel, smell, and hear the beauty around her. When Kate unexpectedly finds a real crown in the forest, she is taken on a journey that will change her life.

Most of the Level-1 readers we have are from publishers like Random House and Scholastics. But we use a homeschool curriculum company called The Good and the Beautiful for a lot of our curriculum. The Good and the Beautiful has its own books written by several authors. Jenny Phillips, the company's creator, writes many of the books herself. And the company emphasizes good and beautiful literature that has strong moral values. I cannot appreciate this more. Most of the "normal" level-1 reader books are about 32 pages long with one or two short sentences per page or opening. A Crown for Kate is a good bit longer with 55 pages and usually, one or two sentences per opening.

A Crown for Kate begins with a challenging words page that includes 5 words used in the book that might be a little beyond the child's reading level, but I like that this is included at the beginning of the book so that you can go over these words with your child before they come to them in the book. This way maybe they will already recognize the words and be able to read them from memory already. Or if they get to one of these words while reading and can't sound it out phonetically or remember it, they will at least not be surprised and feel discouraged for not being able to read a challenging word.

A Crown for Kate is about a blind girl and her family. The book focuses on all of the things Kate is still capable of doing despite her disability. Kate loved stories about queens and often made herself a crown out of flowers. One day, Kate stumbles upon a crown in the forest. Kate knows that the crown needs to be returned to the rightful owner, the queen. Kate and her father go to the castle to return the crown to the queen. Kate and her father were invited to stay at the castle for a week. Kate got to experience life in a castle, but she began to miss her home. Kate realizes that all the small things in her life gave her great joy. Kate realizes that being a queen is good if you do good. And being a regular man is good if you are a good man. No matter who you are if you are good and do good, that is what is most important. Now Kate dreams not of being a queen, but of being a very good girl.

A Crown for Kate is a 5-Star level-1 book for sure. (The Good and the Beautiful technically rates this book as a level 1B.) I love the morals and messages included in this book. We need more companies that focus on the messages we're sending to young kids. I also like that this is longer than a typical level-1 reader so that my son can get accustomed to reading longer books even though there aren't as many words on one page. This book is broken into three "chapters" so your child doesn't have to read it all in one sitting. Have you or your child read A Crown for Kate? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - Booger the Bigfoot

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review/review for each.

Booger the Bigfoot

By: Beau Bryan

Publication: February 14, 2022 by Beau Collins

30 pages

Genre: Children's, Picture Books

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Description--The forest is full of fun and adventure...until Kip loses his way. Luckily, Booger the Bigfoot befriends him and shows him the way home. A story full of excitement, friendship, and lots of silly animals.

When my son was five years old, he went through a bigfoot phase. We got this book for his birthday that year, but this was the first time that he read it for himself. It isn't a popular book, and I wasn't able to verify what the reading level actually is. But my son wanted to read this book, and I try to never turn him down when he's requesting to read since he's such a reluctant reader.

Kip and his dog, Beasty, were bored and sitting around. They decide to go play in the woods. They saw many animals and were having fun. But they weren't paying attention to the sun setting as they got deeper and deeper into the woods. Kip suddenly realizes they're lost and it's dark. He remembers that his dad taught him how to be prepared. Then he realizes the forest is too quiet. Suddenly, a bigfoot appears and indicates that he's going to help Kip and Beasty get back home. The bigfoot returns Kip and Beasty back home, and Kip names him Booger.

My kids love trying to spot Booger throughout the book as he's on each opening hiding in the background as he watches Kip and Beasty play and explore.

My son needed some help with a few words, but I was impressed with how well he did. I guess the idea of letting the kids pick out what interests them is really true. He did much better with trying to read the harder words as well as not getting flustered with this book that he wanted to read rather than me forcing him to read one that I've picked.

Booger the Bigfoot gets 4.5 Stars. My son volunteered to read this which is a huge step for him. My kids all love finding Booger on each page. And there's a good moral about not judging what you see, being prepared, but most of all about being kind. Have you or your child read Booger The Bigfoot? What did you think? Let me know!