Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: board book

Showing posts with label board book. Show all posts

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Mother's Day BOOK-ABRATION with Penguin Young Readers!

👩 Happy Mother's Day to all that claim this precious title in any form! 💐 On this occasion, we celebrate all those special moments made as well as those yet to come.

In that spirit, I've got two titles via Penguin Young Readers that let even the smallest of small tell mom how much they mean in a big way...

🏆 World’s Best Mom

By Isabel Otter; illustrated by Lynn Giunta

Grosset & Dunlap

💌 DEAR MOM

Illustrated by Natalie Lundeen

Flamingo

Each one, through beautiful images and simple words, expresses the abundance of love felt for moms and all they do. With easy to read (storybook wonders!) and ready to handle formats (hello, BOARD BOOK!), the tall to the small have the chance to revel in the joy, the memories, and the moments created with this special soul in their lives.

🌼 A treasure for this holiday or any day, take a closer look at a copy near you, and be sure to have a wonderful day whether in person or memory. ❤️

Check out more at the publisher's site...

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

Special thanks to the Penguin Young Readers team for the chance to highlight these titles for you.

Friday, December 19, 2025

The THIRD Post of Bookmas... Hanukkah 1-2-3!: A First Counting Book by Joy Nelkin Wieder, Illustrator Aura Lewis

It's day THREE, but in case you missed the first, and second posts, I'm ready to answer your big question!

What IS Bookmas?!

Bookmas is similar to Christmas, except it brings tidings of great reads, holiday gifting suggestions, and just about all the bookish fun you can imagine from across the genre spectrum. It's a quick glance at a title I've read or had my attention captured by, with a little something extra to help you get out from under the yuletide stress, and get back to enjoying the season...one page at a time. SNOW now that you know... back to today's feature! 😉

🕎 For the THIRD post of Bookmas, we share the holiday fun with...

Hanukkah 1-2-3!: A First Counting Book

(A Jewish Holiday Concept Book)

Board Books to Celebrate the Jewish Holidays

Joy Nelkin Wieder

Illustrator Aura Lewis

About the book...

Learning to count is as easy as 1, 2, 3 in this unique board book celebrating the holiday of Hanukkah! From opening one gift to lighting two menorah candles, and from frying three latkes all the way to ten people singing a round, young readers will grasp how to count as they learn about the Festival of Lights!

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🌟 There's no better way to spread holiday cheer than including absolutely EVERYONE, from the tall to the really small! Tiny kiddos get a chance to play AND learn about their numbers, about traditions, and about celebrations that don't include the big man in red with this thoughtful #boardbook release just waiting to be added to your collection. It's a festive way to educate, while making sure it's accessible to little hands with its sturdy format. With cheerful illustrations and a vibrate color palette, this will definitely draw readers from all backgrounds!

💫 Do you celebrate the holidays? If so, which one or ones?

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Special thanks to Abrams Books team for the scoop. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. This title is available now for your reading and gifting pleasure! Be sure to stay tuned for more of this series as we approach the holiday!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Celebrating National Unicorn Day with... Kitty-Corn Club: Parts of Us by Shannon Hale, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham - REVIEW!

Welcome back readers!

Today's post features the latest addition to the Kitty-Corn Club, a fabulous Board Book series that keeps growing with Abrams Appleseed. Why feature it today? Well, it just so happens to be National Unicorn Day, and we can't celebrate THAT without Kitty-Corn and friends, now can we? No siree! So get ready, get set, and let's get reading...

Kitty-Corn Club: Parts of Us

Shannon Hale

Illustrated by

LeUyen Pham

9781419768828

Abrams Appleseed

This next chapter in the Kitty-Corn Club series celebrates all the things that make us...US! From furry tails to sticky tongues, saddle backs to talon toes, we get to see how different these friends are, and yet how similar too! We all have parts, and they help make up who we are, but they differ and that's AMAZING! By book's end, they've made a new friend and found a way to bring tentacles into the mix for ALL of them!

I have loved this series from the word GO. When the storybooks released, I was there. When I heard the board books were being introduced, I was revved up and ready to go. The thing about Kitty-Corn is that it invites everyone in, young and young at heart. It celebrates the beauty of life, friendship, and learning in ways that are easy to grasp for wee ones, wonderful reminders for older readers, and delightfully illustrated for all! Seriously, if you can make it through one story without smiling, you've got me beat, and I wouldn't even be trying! 😅

A great addition to any reading library, and a fun read for the tall, small, furry, scaly, and... sticky? 😉

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About the author and illustrator...

LeUyen Pham and Shannon Hale are the team behind the bestselling picture books Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and Pretty Perfect Kitty-Corn, the bestselling graphic novels Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and, with Dean Hale, the early chapter book series the Princess in Black. They’ve made a bunch of other books, too. They are both moms of kids who love parties, wives to husbands who give them homemade cards, honor award winners (Caldecott and Newbery), caretakers of cats, and believers in unicorns. Pham lives in Los Angeles, Hale lives in Utah, and although they also have friends close to home, their best friend hearts are always entwined.

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Special thanks to Mitch at Abrams for the chance to bring this title to you as well as the ecopy for review (THANKS!). For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Abrams Appleseed, so snag your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, November 11, 2024

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WEEK: There's a Little Snowman in Your Book by Tom Fletcher - REVIEW!

Hello, hello!

This week is National Book Award Week which focuses on "...future authors, books, and literature in general". It's a time when awards are handed out, the current landscape of the reading world is gazed upon, and what the coming years hold is pondered. This week, I want to focus on not award winners, though bookmarks up to them, but on books in general...the joy they bring, the adventures they hold, and the moments they create.

Today, we're taking a look at a new Board Book, available now for your winter reading pleasure, that's filled with more than just words, and illustrations, and bookish joy. That's right. In today's book...there's a SNOWMAN! Get ready for a flurry of fun as we step between the epages of today's featured title...

There's a Little Snowman in Your Book

Tom Fletcher

Have you read ANY of the "in your book" series? If you have, you know what you're in store for; if you haven't, it's high time you check it out because they are RIDICULOUSLY CUTE, FUN, and filled with friends you'll adore making and won't soon forget.

This time around, we're checking into a title filled with familiar friends, like Monster and Elf, and making a NEW wintertime friend. You get to join the first two in making some snowy day magic that results in the appearance of Snowman! Then with the right words, and a wave of your fingers, you'll be transported somewhere very, VERY far north where a certain holiday figure just so happens to reside. You'll pay a visit to his workshop, meet a special team that's especially busy at this time of year, and get a special sneak peek at Snowman's present! BUT, SHHH! Don't tell him what it is!

The adorable illustrations never fail to impress. The interactive nature of the stories allow readers of all ages to get in on the fun, and easily reach for it time and time again. The consistency of the series, whether it be in sturdy, tiny hand friendly, Board Book format, or a little bit larger, and gloriously illustrated Storybook format, makes this one that you'll want to add to your bookshelves, and keep you adding it to as more and more release! The variety of characters available makes it so that there's a little something for everyone, and some titles can be kept aside for more seasonal reads...not that you won't want to read about the Witch during summer, or the Elf at Easter! Seriously, they are TOO CUTE TO MISS!

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Special thanks to Alessandra at Random House Children's Books for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the illustrator, feel free to click through the links provided above. This story is available now, wherever books are sold.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, July 1, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: Play Outside with Me by Kat Chen, Illustrated by Lorraine Nam - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!

Today, we have the pleasure of playing host to a stop along the current AWARENESS TOUR via The Children's Book Review that's featuring the latest work from author Kat Chen entitled PLAY OUTSIDE WITH ME. It's a part of a board book series all about playtime, creativity, sharing, and other things to help little readers get a great start in this world. My stop is shining the spotlight on a special GUEST POST from the author herself all about child led playtime, so if you're ready, let's kick things off with a little dash of bookish knowhow, and get to the juicy stuff! Don't forget to enter the tour wide giveaway before you jet off to the other sites participating in the tour for more bookish fun!

Play Outside with Me

Kat Chen

Illustrated by

Lorraine Nam

Ages 1-3 | 24 Pages

9780593659731

Rise x Penguin Workshop

About the book...

This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. In this second book, the outdoor playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

When the Kid Leads

... written by Kat Chen

I’ve seen lots of articles lately on the benefits of Child-Led play. They say filling your child up with tons of opportunities to make their own decisions makes them less likely to fight you when your word rules. Every kid will fight sometime, but if they get lots of safe opportunities to be the decider, then they’ll be more cooperative other times. The key here is that they choose, and you must follow.

That’s not how I was raised. My mother was the decider in all things big and small, and I hated it. I hated it so much that I let my kids decide things way outside their appropriate age level and constantly took crap for it from my mother. Sandals in winter? What are you thinking? I was thinking that if her feet are cold, she’ll remember and wear socks next time we go to the grocery store. (Turns out sparkly sandals were appealing despite frozen toes. If I didn’t want my child to have frostbite, I had to get her sparkly winter shoes.)

This very argument sent me in search of fun ways where my child could win (tell me what to do) and I had to follow without her risking frostbite. Simon Says became popular (renamed to their name) and Follow the Leader. But I also let them pick things in their books. At first, they always picked what the character chose. Of course, Mickey would do that silly thing. They would, too! But over time, we began to rewrite books how they wanted.

That led me to my Play With Me book series. I wrote the choices straight into the book. How do you like popping bubbles? What do you like to draw with chalk? Talk about engagement! Every time I’ve read the books to a child, they’ve become very animated about what they like, what they want, and what they see. They get to choose, and I get a happy, engaged child.

We both win!

If you need a few bullet points on the benefits of Child-Led play as it pertains the Play With Me books, here are some great reasons:

Promotes Creativity and Imagination: By thinking of what they want to do, the child starts developing innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Enhances Cognitive Skills: It takes practice to figure out how to choose, even if it’s as simple as picking which playground game is the favorite.
Fosters Independence: The more a child makes their own decisions, the more confidence they’ll have and that leads to healthy independence.
Improves Social Skills: Children learn to interact and share with book characters as a healthy way to start learning that in real life
Supports Language Development: Kids develop language in a question/answer format. What do you see? I see a squirrel! And that’s the basis of the Play With Me series.
Enhances Focus and Attention: By interacting in a fun, play format, children strengthen their focus and broaden their attention span.
Encourages Lifelong Learning: Book that engage children set the foundation for exploration, curiosity, and education.

Kat Chen is a kid at heart. Her debut board book, PLAY WITH ME, was an instant success garnering several awards including the prestigious Literary Titan Award. A USA Today and Amazon bestseller of books for grownups, she recently became a grateful, gleeful grandmother giving her an instant audience to test her kid lit. “Nothing sparks my imagination as much as playing with a one-year-old. Especially since I don’t have to worry about diapers, nutrition, or sleep schedules. I get to do the fun stuff.” By that, she means conversation, crayons, and crawling all over the playroom. Then she’s the one who needs a nap whether or not the toddler does. Find out more at www.Kat-Chen.com .

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Lorraine Nam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood drawing pictures and folding origami to pass the time at her parents’ jewelry store. She now spends her days combining those two loves to create her illustrations.

She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.

Learn more about Lorraine and her work at www.lorrainename.com.

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

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!!! GIVEAWAY !!!

Enter for a chance to win an exciting prize pack, including a signed copy of Play Outside with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card.

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Kat Chen. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

@pagesforpaige

Instagram Post about Play Outside with Me

Thursday, June 13, 2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

Instagram Post about Play Outside with Me

Friday, June 14, 2024

It’s Free At Last

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Monday, June 17, 2024

The Fairview Review

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight for Play Outside with Me

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Country Mamas with Kids

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Friday, June 21, 2024

@avainbookland

Instagram Post about Play Outside with Me

Monday, June 24, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Guest Post about Play Outside with Me

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Author Interview with Kat Chen

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

One More Exclamation

Book Review of Play Outside with Me

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Froggy Read Teach

Instagram Post about Play Outside with Me

Monday, July 1, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Guest Post about Play Outside with Me

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, April 22, 2024

AWARENESS TOUR: Play with Me by Kat Chen, Illustrated by Lorraine Nam - GUEST POST + GIVEAWAY!

Kick your Monday off right with an AWARENESS TOUR starring a adorable Board Book perfect for little ones just learning the ways of playtime, friendship, and balancing time! KEEP READING for a peek inside, and then stay focused because author Kat Chen is sharing a very special GUEST POST with us today all about how Kids Change Everything that you won't want to miss! After all is said and done, be sure to enter the giveaway before you whisk off to the other sites participating in The Children's Book Review tour!

Play with Me

Kat Chen

Illustrated by

Lorraine Nam

9780593659717

Rise x Penguin Workshop

About the book...

This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

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*** GUEST POST ***

Kids Change Everything

...by Author Kat Chen

I was never a doting mother. I certainly loved my kids and did my best to provide a loving home for them. And, as far as I can tell, they’ve grown up to be happy, contributing members of society. But I had children because that’s what society—and most especially my mother—told me I should. I learned how to cook (badly), went to endless basketball and volleyball events, and drove car pool, all while breaking into the adult romance market as a novelist.

Yay me! Yay fulfilling career! And yay for healthy, happy children who grow up and move out.

And then my eldest daughter had my first grandchild.

It was a difficult pregnancy that resulted in a premature baby. Thankfully, Ellison is an unstoppable, vibrant, happy child as is her younger sister. And I’ve discovered that I really love my grandkids.

I mean really, really, really love them. Like I never did with my own children. Back then there was too much to do, too much responsibility, too much of everything for me to enjoy my kids. Now? I can play with the kids until I drop, and then drop them with their mother. Cue long nap, relaxing evening, and a full night of sleep.

Never had that as a mother. And I never had the drive to write books that help parents and kids interact. Overnight, I went from a novelist focused on how couples fall in love to someone who speaks in very simple sentences. Instead of devouring my favorite romance novels, I’m suddenly studying how picture books are created and how they fill very specific needs in a child’s growing awareness. Then I sit in my office and wonder how to write a story that makes kids smile.

Talk about a complete change of career! While my closest writer friends are expanding into film and television, I spend my time at the library reading dozens of picture books. I’ve gone low-tech, but I’m hooked. And studying picture books is how I fill my time away from my grandchildren who live many states away.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned in my studies.

Kids love questions. What cookie do you want? Do you like bananas? Do you see something special in the sky? Not only is this core to language development, it also gets them thinking about themselves and the world. It doesn’t have to be deep. In fact, at the beginning it should be very simple. What sock do you want? The green ones?
Picture books cover a wide variety of topics and not just simple things. In addition to fun stories about how life can go right or wrong, picture books include non-fiction, emotional development, gorgeous art, and fables both old and new. Wander through the kids section of your local library or book store. You’ll be surprised by what you see.
Novelty books aren’t just lift-the-flap books anymore. There are pop dots, finger puppets, counting beads, and of course all those electronic noise makers. It’s another way kids interact with what they’re reading. They have five senses, and kids want to use them all.
Play. Play. Play. Kids and adults learn the best when they play. Find the fun in the books. Even if it’s a serious book, the time with your child should be fun. Talk about what you see, what you read, and laugh about it. That’s the way to make books and your life happy.

Now you know my new philosophy in life. Play! Have fun! Because when I approach life as a kid, everything becomes a new toy. And a new career!

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About the author...

Kat Chen is the author of several bestselling contemporary and historical romance books. She also serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns.

After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play.

Learn more about Kat and her work at kat-chen.com.

FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

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About the illustrator...

She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.

Learn more about Lorraine and her work at www.lorrainename.com.

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER

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--- GIVEAWAY ---