Friday, March 7, 2014

Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- New and Recent Releases from Disney Publishing Worldwide Worth Checking Out (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.




Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead 1 hour this Saturday night before you go to bed, as Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday.  While you are probably not excited about losing an hour of much needed sleep, I know for me, I am looking forward to it being light out longer and the warmer weather to arrive.  Spring is in the air, and Easter is right around the corner.  As my girls practice their egg hunting skills :-), I am gearing up to share some great Easter gift basket ideas, which will include tons of great books for kids of all ages from my "Welcome in Spring with a Good Book" series, which kicks off today. 

What better way to kick off my seasonal children's book feature than with a handful of books from Disney Publishing Worldwide.  Recently, I was sent a sampling of new releases, and have been having a blast reading them to the girls.  And, they have enjoyed flipping through the pages on their own and seeing some of their favorite Disney characters from movies and hit television shows.  

So, as you prepare to welcome in Spring and get ready for Easter, why not keep these books in mind.  They will make for great bedtime reading with the kids, and will definitely put a smile on their faces if they were to find a handful of books from Disney Press in their Easter baskets.


Goofy's Sledding Contest

  • Age Range: 6 - 7 years
  • Grade Level: 1 - 3
  • Series: World of Reading
  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Disney Press (October 8, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423169646
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423169642
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches

Synopsis:

"
The snow is falling, and Goofy can’t wait to go sledding! But when Goofy invites his friends to join him in a sledding contest, he becomes obsessed with finding the fastest way down the hill.

Soon Goofy is trying everything . . . a sled . . . a surf board . . . banana peels! But as Goofy slides into victory, he realizes the best way down the hill is on his stomach!
Kids are sure to love this silly adventure as they guess at the next attempt Goofy is going to make."
My Thoughts:

Besides Mickey and Minnie, I just love Goofie.  What a fun loving and oh so crazy dog he is.  You can't help but smile when you see Goofie on television, and wonder what he will get into next.  In this cute paperback book from Disney Press, Goofie ask his pals to have a sledding race with him.  Not only does Goofie like the snow and cold weather, but sledding is most favorite thing to do in the snow.  The faster, the better.  But, when it comes to finding just the right thing to use to go sledding, readers are in for a silly adventure.  From banana peels on his feet to a surf board, Goofie tries almost everything he can pull out of his crowded closet to sled with.  

Will Goofie find the right object to sled with, and win the race.  Or, will he get stuck in face down in the snow?  You will have to pick up this cute and easy to follow paperback to share with your child to find out.  Be prepared to laugh, as you see all of Goofie's silly sledding attempts.


Chilly Catches a Cold


  • Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  • Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
  • Series: Disney Doc Mcstuffins
  • Paperback: 24 pages
  • Publisher: Disney Press (October 8, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423175093
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423175094
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches

Synopsis:

"One snowy morning, Doc and the toys venture outside for some winter fun. But when Chilly begins to feel like a real frozen snowman, Doc diagnoses him with a case of “Brrrrritis.” The cure: Chilly needs to warm up!
Kids learn the importance of wearing warm clothes when it’s cold outside in this hilarious storybook.
Read-Along eBook features word-for-word narration!"
My Thoughts:

This storybook is based on an episode from the hit Disney Junior series, Doc McStuffins. If you have a little one who enjoys this animated series, then you have probably seen this episode a handful of times.  :-)

When I first showed the girls the book, they were excited as Chilly is one of their favorite stuffed toys of Doc's that they love...Lambie is first. :-)  And, when I started to read the story, Savannah quickly jumped in and said I know what happens next  Before I could continue on, she gave me a summary of the episode and the book based on her memory of the episode. :-)  And, she was spot on.  As we continued to read the story, she would say, "See, I told you that."  

Both my girls couldn't stop smiling as I read this cute story to them.  And, when we finished, Savannah made a point to tell me that whenever it is cold outside, you need to dress warm, with your winter coat, hat, mittens and boots.  If not, you will freeze like Chilly. :-)

A Sister More Like Me

  • Age Range: 6 - 8 years
  • Grade Level: 1 - 3
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Disney Press (October 1, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423170148
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423170143
  • Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches

Synopsis:

"Explore a wintery world of magic in Walt Disney Animation Studio’s latest film, Frozen. This jacketed picture book features an original story about Anna and Elsa, the film’s two sisters, as well as illustrations by one of the artists who worked on the film.

Read-along eBook version has word-for-word narration!"
My Thoughts:


Even if you haven't seen Disney's recent award winning release Frozen in theaters, you and your child will still enjoy this storybook, which gives a back story to Anna and Elsa, the sisters of Arendelle.  I know this as we received the book in advance of seeing the movie and didn't need to see the movie to enjoy it.  Unlike many books from movies, this one fills in questions movie goers had of what the girls did during their time together and apart.

Not only did I like the rhyming poetic feel of the story, but the story was told from both girls perspectives, giving it a great feel.  I have been reading this to my two girls, and when they are not admiring the beautiful illustrations with me, they are comparing how they like certain things like Anna and Elsa did. :-)

And, now that we saw the movie, reading this book to the girls is even more fun, as they love seeing characters from the Frozen movie in storybooks like this.

The story itself is easy to follow and will entertain even the youngest of listeners.  Savannah continues to ask for this book at bedtime, and will even pick it up and flip through the pages, just to look at the illustrations done by Brittney Lee that are eye catching.

If your child has fallen in love with Disney's Frozen, this is one book worth picking up and sharing, as they will love to see what Elsa and Anna love to do, and shows how that we are all different and have different likes and hobbies, just like these sisters do. 

An Amazing Snowman

  • Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  • Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten
  • Series: Frozen (Disney Press)
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Disney Press (February 18, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423185145
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423185147
  • Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches

Synopsis:

"Featuring Olaf, the happy-go-lucky comic relief of Disney’s Frozen, this humorous tale of what it means to dream is told in verse and features charming illustrations.

32-page picture book based on the characters from the Disney film Frozen."
My Thoughts:

Arabella instantly fell in love with Olaf the moment she saw him on the big screen. Frozen was her first movie we took her to at the theater, and is now her favorite movie of all time.  Don't believe me?  Ask her, and she will say, "Frozen, Frozen, Frozen!" And, when she is not carrying around her Anna and Elsa dolls around the house, she is snuggling up next to her Olaf stuffed toy that Santa brought her.  She cannot go to bed at nighttime unless Olaf is right by her side.

If you saw the movie, then you, too, probably fell in love with this cute snowman.  If snowmen were real, I hope they would all be as cheery as Olaf. :-)  Like the other Frozen book I shared above, this new release from Disney Press is filled with your favorite characters from the hit movie, with Olaf at the center of it all. :-)  Even if your little one can't read, they will enjoy flipping through the pages of this hardcover book to look at Olaf being silly and always sporting his happy and contagious smile.  

The story is cute in that it talks about why Olaf is special. I especially liked the ending as it talks about Olaf knowing that "every ending...is a chance for a new beginning...and a chance...for a nice, warm hug.  I get to get in a few extra snuggles with my girls each and every time we read this book together.  Easy to follow and a treat for Frozen and Olaf fans, kids will enjoy this book and ask you to read it to them time and again.


And, here are some other books from Disney Press worth checking out.  It is never to late to get your kids excited about reading. So, why not pick up a new book to share with them today. Who doesn't like to snuggle up with their kids and read a good book. :-)  

For Ages 0-2:

Happy Easter Baby
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/happy-easter-baby/

Who Is That?
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/who-is-that/

First Alphabet Book
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/first-alphabet-book/

For Ages 3-5:

Mater and the Easter Buggy
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/mater-and-the-easter-buggy/

Hoppy Clubhouse Easter
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/hoppy-clubhouse-easter/


Pretty in Pink
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/minnie-pretty-in-pink/

Surfin' Turf
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/world-of-reading-jake-and-the-never-land-pirates-surfin-turf/

Royal Lessons
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/sofia-the-first-royal-lessons/.

Colors All Around
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/mickey-mouse-clubhouse-colors-all-around/

For Ages 6-8:

The Easter Eggs-travaganza (Volume 8)
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/the-easter-eggs-travaganza-volume-8/

Captain America
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/captain-america-2/

Planes Movie Storybook
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/planes-movie-storybook/

1423172728
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/thor-the-dark-world-movie-storybook/


For Ages 9-12:

Squeeze Play
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/cal-ripken-jr-s-all-stars-squeeze-play/

Between U and Me
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/between-u-and-me/

Zero Tolerance
Click here to learn more -- http://books.disney.com/book/zero-tolerance/


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

2 comments :

  1. We have the book "A Sister More Like Me" and my daughter loves it. She wishes she had a sister!

    ReplyDelete
  2. These all look super cute and fun. I know a little one who would really enjoy the book "Planes". Thanks for sharing and Happy Spring to you.
    heather [email protected]

    ReplyDelete