Monday, February 10, 2014

Fun Books to Share with Your Children This Valentine's Day From Random House Kids (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.






I love surprising the girls with holiday themed books to read, as it makes for a fun afternoon of reading together.  Usually, we will bake cupcakes or cookies, and while we wait for the sweet treats to bake up, I will take out a few book to snuggle up on the couch and read to the girls.  Thanks to the kind folks at Random House Kids, they recently sent a few books that have made bonding with the girls that much more -- as there is nothing better than snuggling with little ones, while enjoying a good book!



How Do Lions Say I Love You?

By Diane Muldrow; Illustrated by David Walker
Lions say "I love you" with a purr and a cuddle.
Wolves say "I love you" with a howl and a huddle.
Bears like to say it with a kiss ...
My Thoughts:

While the girls were fans of the Team Umizoomi book (2 books down), I have to say that my favorite of the three books was this one about how different animals say "I Love You."  As I read this book to the girls, I kept asking them different ways we could express just home much we love each.  Savannah could extend her arms as far as she could reach and say "This much!," while Bella would lean in and give each of us a nose kiss.  My favorite was to do a snuggle sandwich, where I would wrap them both in my arms and give them both a great big bear hug. 

Each and every time we read this sweet story about expressing your love for your child, the girls and I continue to come up with fun ways to say "I love you!"  :-)




Elmo Loves You (Sesame Street)

By Sarah Albee; illustrated by Maggie Swanson
In this Sesame Street Little Golden Book, Elmo tells in a rollicking, rap-like rhyme how everybody has something special to care about. And Elmo reminds his readers that, yes, "Elmo ...
My Thoughts:

Who can resist Elmo?  I have to say that I have weak spot in my heart for this cute little guy, and even have a mini collection of Elmo stuffed dolls in my office.  His laugh is infectious and you can't help but smile when see him on Sesame Street and his Elmo's World feature.  My girls are the same way -- they LOVE Elmo!  So, when they saw this book, they couldn't wait to read it.  The illustrations in this book keep little ones engaged, as you read through the poem, which has easy to understand words that talk about things that other Sesame Street characters and even animals love.  As you flip through the pages, little ones are reminded that "Elmo Loves You."

You can't go wrong with a Sesame Street book from Random House Kids, especially when it includes the lovable Elmo. :-)



Happy Love Day! (Team Umizoomi)

By Random House; illustrated by David Aikins
When a valentine is lost in the Umi City Post Office, it's up to Nickelodeon's Team Umizoomi to find it and make a very special delivery. Boys and ...
Recommended for AGE 3-7 years

Buy now for only $4.99.
My Thoughts:

Out of the three books received from Random House Kids, this is by far my girls' favorite.  Not only was it about Team Umizoomi, one of their favorite Nick Jr. show to watch, but it also included over 30 stickers and Valentine's Day cards.  I love it when books come with little extras like this, as it make for a fun bonus activity to do with the girls after we are done with the story.  :-)  I had to keep telling the girls that we had to read the story before we could add these cool stickers to their sticker books, or doodle on the Valentine's Day cards, to send to relatives and friends.

The story itself it cute and easy to follow for little ones.  Team Umizoomi has to retrieve a special package that was sent to the post office without the proper postage. We don't learn who the package is for until the end of the book -- all we know is that it is very important and needs to have the postage corrected, so that it can be delivered on time.  Once the gang gets to the post office, they see how letters and packages are received, sorted, checked for postage, and then loaded into the appropriate postal truck for delivery.  

If you are familiar with Team Umizoomi, which airs daily on Nick Jr., then you know that this shows teaches preschoolers about shapes, numbers, etc.  This story follows suit, as kids have to help count the number of postage stamps needed for the package to be ready for delivery.  I loved seeing the girls point to the stamps as they counted to 6 out loud.  And, they were even pointing out different shapes like hearts, squares, triangles (on Geo's belt), etc.  

So, who was the special Valentine's Day package for?  You will have to pick up the book to find out! :-)  Once you read this book to your little one, it will be one that they ask to have read to them over and over again.  I have lost count on how many times the girls have had me read this book to them, and how many times they pull it from the shelf in a given day to flip through the pages and describe to one another how the postal service works, how many stamps are needed for the special package, etc.  I know your little ones, especially if they are Team Umizoomi fans will go crazy for this book.

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Do you have a favorite Valentine's Day book you love reading to your children?  Or, did you recently stumble upon one that has become your child's favorite bedtime read?  Leave a comment below so that I can check out these books for my girls. :-)

If you are still looking for some Valentine's Day gift ideas for your little ones, why not pick up a new book to read with them.  Here are some more great books to pick up and share with your children this Valentine's Day from Random House Kids:




Thomas' Valentine Party (Thomas & Friends)

By Rev. W. Awdry; illustrated by Jim Durk
Thomas knows about friendship, and he knows how to spread Valentine's Day joy in this activity book that features full-color pages and over 50 stickers. Little boys ages 3-7 ...
Recommended for AGE 3-7 years

Bunny Kisses (Pat the Bunny)

By Golden Books
SMOOCH! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, little ones will love to press the sound button to give Bunny and his friends lots of sweet kisses! Filled with classic ...
Recommended for AGE 3-7 years

Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime (Junie B. Jones)

By Barbara Park; illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Meet the World's Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones!

It's a mushy gushy mystery! With over 50 million books in print, Barbara Park's New York Times bestselling chapter ...
Recommended for AGE 6-9 years

Duck & Goose, Goose Needs a Hug

By Tad Hills; illustrated by Tad Hills
Duck & Goose are back in this sturdy board book, perfect for preschoolers! And this time, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out ...
Recommended for AGE 2-5 years


I Haiku You

By Betsy E. Snyder
This giftable little picture book of haiku by award winner Betsy Snyder is something adults will love to give one another as much as they'll enjoy sharing it with ...
Recommended for AGE 4-8 years


Who Needs Love?

By Elise Primavera; illustrated by Laura Park
Scarlett Starlett and Simon Greensnout were best friends; they were also alligators who lived in a town menaced by a rotten-to-the-core witch. She hated anything sweet and nice and had ...
Recommended for AGE 5-8 years


10 Valentine Friends

By Janet Schulman; illustrated by Linda Davick
It's Valentine's Day and the 10 little neighbors in this book are busy making Valentines for their closest friends.

A dinosaur card, thinks little Pete,
My pal Max ...
Recommended for AGE 0-3 years


Tweet Hearts

By Susan Reagan
Tweet Hearts features two little lovebirds and ten little hearts. Preschoolers and their parents will love counting all the hearts from ten to one while reading along with the rhyming ...
Recommended for AGE 0-3 years


The Runaway Hug

By Nick Bland; illustrated by Freya Blackwood
"Mommy," said Lucy. "Can I have a hug before I go to bed?" 
When Mommy jokes that she only has one hug left, Lucy decides she must keep Mommy's ...
Recommended for AGE 3-7 years

Junie B. My Valentime

By Barbara Park; illustrated by Denise Brunkus
My Valentime . . . and I MEAN it! Laugh yourself silly with the world's FUNNIEST Valentimes! Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime has sold almost 2 million copies and ...
Recommended for AGE 3-7 years



1 comment :

  1. These look so cute I know a little one who would just love the Elmo book.
    Heather [email protected]

    ReplyDelete