Friday, February 1, 2019

New Books from Simon and Schuster -Perfect for Snow Day Reading and Valentine's Day! (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.


How are you enjoying this cold weather?  I don't know about you, but I am done with the single digit temps (before the wind chill is added in).  For the past two days the public schools in our area have been doing 2-hr. delays, and some schools will do another late start tomorrow.  I keep hearing from moms that this winter chill is keeping their kids indoors with nothing to do.  I guess the kids have already gotten bored with their toys that Santa brought last month.  How quickly that happened, right?  It hurts even more if you are still paying off these gifts.  Well, if your kids continue to come to you looking for something to do, why not consider giving them a new book to read and enjoy.  

I am lucky that my girls both love to read like me, and are always up for reading a new book.  So, whenever it is too cold to play outside and they are looking for something to do, I will tell them to check their bookshelves for books they haven't read yet, or haven't read in awhile.  If you are looking for some new titles to pick up and share with your kids, check out these December releases from Simon & Schuster.  My girls read all of them with the last few snow storms and frigid temperature days, and LOVED them!  I have found them picking these up and reading them during the day when they are looking for something to do, or ask me to read to them at bedtime. 




About this Book:

"Visit the Statue of Liberty as Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling author Marion Dane Bauer takes you on a tour of one of our country’s greatest treasures in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read.

For many years the Statue of Liberty was the first American sight for many immigrants. Read on to find out how she came to stand in New York Harbor."


My Thoughts:

I am a fan of the Ready to Read books which are great for beginner readers who aren't quite ready to transition to chapter books with less pictures. Plus, these books are chock full of interesting facts making this not only a fun book to read, but an educational one, too.  We have a nice collection of the "Wonders of America" Ready to Read book that I use for our homeschooling, and the girls get excited when they see me pulling out one of these books to go along with our schooling, as they love these books, too!

My girls really enjoyed this book all about Lady Liberty. When we got to the last page in the book, the girls read some really interesting facts, including how the statue was shipped to the USA in 350 pieces, and how there are several copies of this famous statue standing in France.  We will be doing US geography this year, and this book will be pulled out again when we hit New York. I highly recommend this book, as it is a quick read, and kids of all ages will love it.




About this Book:

"Visit Mount Rushmore as Newbery Honor recipient and New York Times bestselling author Marion Dane Bauer takes you on a tour of one of our country’s greatest treasures in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read.

Mount Rushmore is the most visited place in the United States. Learn the story about how this wonder of America was made."


My Thoughts:

Here is another great book in the popular "Wonders of America" series.  This book as the title suggests is all about Mount Rushmore.  It is a level 1 book, making it perfect beginner readers.  My youngest is all about history and loved this book as it talked all about the Presidents who make up this famous US treasure.  She was quick to say that Mount Rushmore is going on her bucket list, and she can't wait to go and visit it, to see it up close for herself.  And, you know what...I would love to see Mount Rushmore, too!



About this Book:

"Dip a toe, paw, or fin into history with this fact-tastic Level 2 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series all about pets and the people who loved them! In this story, learn all about Helen Keller and her Akita puppies, the first to travel to the United States!

Helen Keller inspired people all around the world, but what inspired Helen? Helen was enchanted by the loyal Akita dogs from Japan. The Japanese people wanted to give Helen her own Akita, but trouble was brewing between Japan and the United States. Would the puppy arrive safely to his new owner? Learn all about Helen Keller, Akita dogs, and Japan in this fact-filled Level 2 Ready-to-Read."

My Thoughts:

My oldest daughter, who is a huge dog lover quickly grabbed this book when she saw the dog on the front cover.  She didn't even read the title, but knew she wanted to see it as it was about a dog.  Unlike my youngest daughter, who loves history, it is hard to get my oldest to sit and listen to a book about famous historical events and figures.  But, thanks to this book -- partly for the dog on the cover -- my daughter found herself falling in love with this book.  When she got to the end, she was telling me all about Helen Keller and her Akita Go-Go, which came from Japan.  I loved seeing my daughter get excited about what she was telling me, and how she really grasped a lot just by reading this book.  She also found herself wanting to go to the library to pick up more books about Helen Keller, and one on Braille, so she could practice for herself.

This is another great book to add to your family's book collection, as it will be pulled from the shelf and read time and again.  I find this book under my daughter's pillow most nights, as she loves to read it before bed. :-)



About this Book:

"It’s always a beautiful day when Mouse and Minka come to play! Minka loves Mouse and shows it in this charming Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read book about siblings!

Mouse spies his sister Minka acting very mysterious. She’s collecting shiny red paper, paste, and pink ribbons. What is she doing? She’s making a valentine for Mouse, of course!

Young readers are sure to enjoy Lauren Thompson’s simple, energetic text and Buket Erdogan’s sweet, playful illustrations as they learn to recognize words and begin to read on their very own!"

My Thoughts:

This was one of the first "Ready to Read" book series that got my youngest to learn how to read.  She fell in love with the mouse and loved rhyming words and repetition - both of which helped her to learn and add new sight words to her growing reading vocabulary.  Even though she is reading more advanced books, she read this book the other day and loved it.  She said it was the perfect book for kids and parents to enjoy together as they get ready to celebrate Valentine's Day.  And, just tonight she had me read it to her at bedtime, and gave me a great big hug and kiss at the end.   This is a book all about love, that will have beginner readers falling in love with reading with this beginner reader book.




About this Book:

"Meet Ryan, the seven-year-old YouTube mega-star from Ryan ToysReview, in this 8x8 storybook that’s perfect for his millions of fans! This story, filled with fun facts about Ryan’s videos, family, and hobbies, also comes with a sheet of Ryan’s World stickers!

This is Ryan! You probably know him from his YouTube channel, Ryan ToysReview. But do you know what his favorite food is? Or what he wants to be when he grows up? Learn all about Ryan, like how he got started on YouTube, what he does when he’s not making videos, and how much he loves his fans…like you!

Watch it. Read it. Love it!"

My Thoughts:

If you have young children who watch YouTube videos, then they have probably told you all about mega-star Ryan. He is a little boy who does toy review, and this past Christmas his surprise egg was a must have toy on many kids' wish lists.  I know, as it was on both of my girls' and I went crazy trying to get my hands on two for under the tree.  

Fans of Ryan who love watching his YouTube videos and playing with his toys from his toy line, will love this new book, which also comes with a sheet of Ryan's World stickers.  My girls were all smiles when they saw this book, and couldn't wait to read it.  They also loved the bonus sticker sheet, which I was surprised they shared, and didn't fight over.  :-)

This book would make a great gift idea for kids for Valentine's Day, or even Easter.



About this Book:

"Now the youngest Peanuts fans can learn 100 first words with the Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang!

What kinds of words make up Snoopy and Charlie Brown’s world? Find out in this book of first words for the youngest fans of the Peanuts. From Charlie Brown’s “football” and “kite” to Peppermint Patty’s “ice skates,” Schroeder’s “piano,” and Snoopy’s “doghouse,” this sweet story introduces readers to the Peanuts gang’s favorite words!"

My Thoughts:

Come on, who doesn't love Peanuts books, or Snoopy in general?  I grew up watching all the different Peanuts holiday movies, and loved the books. And, once I had kids of my own, I loved being able to read all the different Peanuts books to them at bedtime.  This book would have been perfect to share with my girls when they were learning how to read.  But, now, I use it as a way to get my youngest to practice her spelling.  She loves drawing, and will draw pictures she sees in the book. Then, I have her write a sentence using the word that describes the picture she just drew. :-)

If you have a beginner ready or young child, who loves colorful books, especially ones featuring everyone's favorite Peanuts characters, then you definitely have to check out this board book.


Buy this paperback now for only $5.99

About this Book:

"Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Sally, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this 8x8 storybook that comes with a sheet of Valentine’s Day stickers!

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, wants to give a valentine to Linus…but Linus wants to give a valentine to Lydia instead. He thinks of Sally as just a friend. Then Linus finds out that Valentine’s Day can be about love and friendship, and makes Sally’s valentine dream come true!"

My Thoughts:

My girls and I loved this book.  What a cute story to read together as Valentine's Day near.  And, there is a sheet of stickers at the end of the book (30+ stickers in all -- perfect for siblings to share).  This book is great to share with young children to remind them that Valentine's cards are great to share with friends to remind them that you cherish their friendship.  It doesn't have to be all about the yucky and gross lovey dovey stuff, but also about friendship. :-)



About this Book:

"Wendy stretches herself a little too thin when trying to protect her friends in this hilarious novel based on an episode of the hit Disney Channel show Hotel Transylvania: The Series.

Talk about a sticky situation!

When Dr. Gillman saves Wendy’s life she feels forever indebted to him. Actually, all he did was remove gum from her ponytail but she is super grateful nonetheless. Wendy’s selfless nature plus the Blob family’s code of honor compels her to be by his side 24/7 until she finds a way to save his life. The good doctor prefers to fly solo, so he turns to Mavis. Surely she’ll know what to do. Mavis is happy to help, but her scheme doesn’t exactly go as planned. Before long Wendy is racing around trying to save everyone at the hotel. In doing so she literally spreads herself too thin—attaching blobettes (mini versions of herself) to whomever she encounters. Will Mavis figure out a way to restore Wendy to her whole, adorable self?"

My Thoughts:

My girls love the Hotel Transylvania movies and love when I get books featuring Mavis and Drac to read.  So, you can imagine how excited they were to get this book to read.   We have been sent Ready to Read books featuring Hotel Transylvania characters in the past, but this is the first chapter book, and the girls were loving it.  It was full of colorful illustrations that brought the story to life, and made it hard for them to put down the book. Both of my girls read this chapter book in one sitting, and then came together to talk about their favorite parts.  They can't wait to get more books like this one.




About this Book:

"Mavis’s little rotten egg hatches into a mischievous creature in this zany Level 2 Ready-to-Read based on an episode of the hit Disney Channel show Hotel Transylvania: The Series.

Mavis is eager to prove she can take care of a living creature and rescues a so-called “bad egg” from Quasimodo’s clutches. Mavis raises little Weggsley until he hatches and soon has a vampire-eating, bad little egg on her hands. What will Mavis do?

This paperback edition comes with two sheets of stickers!"

My Thoughts:

If your kids are not ready for chapter books just yet, this Ready to Read book is perfect for those Hotel Transylvania: The Series fans in your life.  It is a level 2 book so it has longer sentences and simple chapters, to keep kids engaged.  My girls read this book, and said it was a fun read.  They both highly recommend it for Mavis fans. 

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These are just some of the December new releases from Simon & Schuster worth checking out.  Don't let another snow day or delayed school start get you stressed out, as you try to keep your kids entertained.  Instead, hand them a book and let them go on a fun adventure.  My girls will read a book and then will play together acting out scenes or coming up with alternative endings.  I love how just by reading a book, their imaginations kick in and they find themselves playing for hours. :-)

To learn more about these and other books for kids from Simon & Schuster, head on over to https://www.simonandschuster.com/ today. 


Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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