CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK: Mother's Day Special

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, we've reached the end...of CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK that is, but that doesn't mean the fun has to end with this final post.  NO siree!  You can celebrate the joys of reading and Children's Literature any day of the week...in fact, I highly recommend it!  If you have yet to enter, be sure to stop over to my other post where you can get your name in to win a NINE BOOK PRIZE PACK starring the works of none other than author Ursula Vernon!  Now, let's send this celebration out on a high note...

Today is the end of the week long celebration BUT it is also a very special day for a very special person in our lives.  That's right, it's MOTHER'S DAY!  Best wishes for a happy one to you and yours.  Hopefully you've something special planned to celebrate, even if it's simply taking a moment to chat, or say "I love you".  Whatever you do, make it from the heart.  Now, the book world has been said to have something for everyone, and every occasion, and the same is true for today.  In the spotlight, I've TWO titles that are a perfect read for you and your little one (regardless of the actual age of your "little one") that remind us how special our Mom's truly are.  First up...

Ella and the Mother's Day Surprise

Ella the Elephant series

by

J.D. Smith

9781101994986

Grosset & Dunlap

Ella the Elephant was certainly a new adventure for me.  This being my first exposure to her character/series, I wasn't sure what to expect.  For me, she was a cross between Madeleine, and Paddington Bear.  She's bright, fun, big-hearted, and generous.  She and her best friend Frankie want nothing more than to surprise their mom's with a Mother's Day event that will bring their pasts front and center, but Mother NATURE has something else up her sleeve.  Will a bit of rain put a damper on their plans or will a little luck, determination, and a bit of magic courtesy of one adorable red hat, save the day?  I'd bet on the latter if I were you...

I can easily see how wee ones would love this TV series and adore the fact that the books are carrying the fun from the screen to the page rather fluidly.  It makes it THAT much easier to capture a child's attention with READING if you can connect them with a book that reaches out to them and what better way than through a face they know!  Ella's sweet demeanor and can do attitude will bring a smile to anyone's face...including the mom she seeks to bring happiness to on this special day.

Now...on to book two....

The Berenstain Bears:

Mother's Day Blessings

by

Mike Berenstain

9780310748694

Zonderkidz

Just like there is a book for every reader, there is a Berenstain Bears title for every occasion.  This time around, we're joining Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear as they seek to find the PERFECT gift for Mama Bear this Mother's Day.  With a little suggestion from Papa Bear, it's all set...after church, they will go out for brunch WITH Grizzly Gran too!  A double Mother's Day celebration...hurrah! It all seems so simple and straight forward, and then the lesson shows up to remind us how lucky we really are. 

I've always held these characters near to my heart as I grew up on some of their adventures, but this one was truly unique.  It doesn't simply celebrate dear sweet Mom but ALL types of Mom's in all their glory.  It reminds us that although they are tasked with one of the biggest jobs on earth, they still manage other "hats" as well such as doctors, police, farmers, and more!  It's humbling to shine a spotlight on all they truly due for us and a great way to gain a new appreciation for the WONDER WOMAN in each of our lives.

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Special thanks to the teams at Zonderkidz and Penguin Young Readers for the review copies of today's featured titles.  (THANKS!)  For more information on the books reviewed today, the authors, or the publishers, feel free to click through the links provided above.  These titles are available now, so be on the lookout for them on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!