Today is the Day!:Otis Goes to the Beach by Katie Williamson and illustrated by Zoe Saunders

Today is the Day!: Otis Goes to the Beach by Katie Williamson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Today is the Day! : Otis Goes to the Beach is a debut that will delight children and their parents who read this over and over again. With awesome illustrations by Zoe Saunders this child's book explores a day at the beach by a mother, father, their 2 girls and Otis, their dog. Turning the pages, the readers see the beach day through Otis' excitement and adventures. The beach, from page to page is bright, sunny, and filled with what is fun on the beach--sand castles, beach balls, sea gulls, the ocean waves, and sea and sand creatures and so much more. The sisters and Otis have such a memorable day at the beach and this reader enjoyed reading to her grandson, we turned each page & enjoyed the rhyming text and pointing to the beaches with shells, beach umbrellas, surfers, and waves. We fell in love with this book, the beach and Otis was so darn cute. A must read! Highly recommended!

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Yoshi and the Ocean : A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore

Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Moore's nonfiction children's picture book with beautiful paintings of Yoshi's life as a sea turtle with a damaged shell was filled with facts and heart. The story and all the important back of the book facts, and details of Yoshi's journey, a loggerhead compendium filled with pictures and facts on 4 pages, and sea turtle facts and resources will mesmerize all readers! A must read!

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Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns & Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz

Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great book- my granddaughter and I read this nonfiction children's picture book and loved the story, the authentic, beautiful photographs about how important honeybees are and the 2 men who rescue a colony of honeybees and relocate them with a soft vaccuum!!! We were captivated by this "drama" story, we learned so much about honeybees and their honeycomb from one day where they made a new home in a rickety old barn. When the owner realizes this he calls an expert and explains his problem. The reader will love and learn so much about this story as well as the resources at the end of the book "An Interview With Mr. Jon Nelson, Bee Rescuer", Glossary, Author's Note, Sources, Further Reading & Acknowledgments.

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Borrowing Bunnies: A Surprising True Tale of Fostering Rabbits by Cynthia Lord

Borrowing Bunnies: A Surprising True Tale of Fostering Rabbits by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to MaryAlice Briggs-Dicker for this awesome recommendation! I love Cynthia Lord and this book will really speak to children about caring for and loving bunnies but also about letting them go to good homes. The pictures and photos were totally awesome. I think really anyone should read this book!

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Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre

Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read a 2nd book for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge on a Spring-Related Picture Book. April Pulley Sayres celebration of flowers is just truly amazing. Each page consists of stunning photographs of flowers blooming and the many different ways they bloom. From California to Arizona to Texas the many varieties of flowers are celebrated in their breathtaking beauty. Pully has a must read section at the end with more facts information about each page of the book. A must read and visual delight.

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My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Miesel

My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Meisel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Spring Related Picture Book for my #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge and I just loved Miesel's narrator, P. Mantis!!! My granddaughters love the pictures, the facts and seeing through the illustrations and dates from May through October the life cycle of the praying mantis. The laughs the baby praying mantis gleaned from my granddaughters was always about the eating.

June 2 "I'm hungry, Growing so fast! I ate one of my brothers. Okay maybe two."
June 4 "I ate another brother. And one of my sisters too."
The giggles and re-reading were filled with learning facts and how amazing this insect is!

A truly enjoyable, ingenious picture book!

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Anonymouse by Vicki Van Sickle

Anonymouse by Vikki VanSickle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the colors in this fun picture book; someone is drawing art all over for the creatures. In pinks, white, and black --VanSickle's book is a treat for all and will bring a smile on each page. But who is creating this art? Turn the pages...and prepare to be happy with the art.

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Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh was this book just so beautiful, cute and a must read. I have seen it on so many lists, recommendations, and now that I have read it, I understand why. Jessica Love's picture book is just perfect for diverse authenticity, the message of self acceptance by Julian's grandmother, Abuela, is perfect! I recommend all children, adults, school teachers, counselors will thoroughly enjoy this gorgeously illustrated book about wonder, family and community!

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Rescue & Jessica: ALIfe-Changing Friendship by Jessican Kensky and Patrick Downs Illustrated by Scott Magoon

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This children's picture book is for the young and the old- for everyone. Young Jessica has lost one of her legs and it is through a chance meeting she meets and learns about the service dog organization, NEADS, and applies for a service dog. The other great thing about this book is reading/seeing it through the service dog, Rescue's view. The Author's Note & Acknowledgments are important and the illustrator, Scott Magoon, wrote a post for the Nerdy Book Club on his use of symbolism in his art (https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2...) An inspirational book about struggles and staying strong- as the title says - this book is about the life-changing friendship of Jessica and Rescue and it will change each reader too!

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