Archives for December 2024

In these chapter books, young fans will follow Miles Morales as he teams up with Shuri and King T’Challa to save the Stark Center, and join Gwen Stacy on a mission to balance her school life with her responsibilities as Ghost-Spider. Each book is peppered with black-and-white illustrations, making the reading experience more dynamic and enjoyable. These books not only entertain, but also support literacy and cognitive development for early readers. With 68% of millennial parents interested in Marvel products, these books are sure to be a hit in households across the country.

Discover the Perfect Holiday Gift: Houseplants and their F*cked-Up Thoughts – A Hilarious and Unique Take on the World of Plants.

Ever wondered if your houseplants are secretly judging you? Maybe, they are!

This holiday season, uncover the hilarious inner thoughts of your green companions in Houseplants and their F*cked-Up Thoughts, a quirky gift book that brings a fresh twist to plant ownership. Share the gift of laughter with this witty and irreverent collection from Elisabeth Saake and Carlyle Christoff. Perfect for plant lovers, humor enthusiasts, or anyone needing a break from the chaos of everyday life, this book offers a wildly entertaining peek into the cheeky musings of your leafy friends.

Houseplants and their F*cked-Up Thoughts takes readers on a hilarious journey through the minds of houseplants as they grapple with everything from overwatering to existential crises. Saake’s sharp wit and unique storytelling bring these silent green roommates to life, making this book a must-have for anyone who’s ever wondered what their plants are really thinking.

Each chapter is accompanied by whimsical illustrations that capture the essence of each plant’s ‘personality,’ making it as visually appealing as it is funny.

While the humor is adult, it’s accessible enough for a wide audience. Houseplants and their F*cked-Up Thoughts is the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates a good laugh and a little irreverence.

Elisabeth Saake is a writer and humorist with a passion for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Her work has been featured in various publications, and Houseplants and their F*cked-Up Thoughts is her latest foray into the world of offbeat humor. Saake’s ability to find the absurd in everyday life shines through in this book, making it a standout in any holiday gift guide.

Renowned botanist, soil balance and moisture expert, plant psychological enthusiast, and five-time recipient of Plant Weekly’s “Most Emotionally Balanced Garden” award, Carlyle Christoff is considered by many in the Botano-psychological community to be “the voice” on plant thoughts and behaviors. After attending a prestigious Ivy League school, Christoff spent several years in rainforest plant communication intensives in Southeast Asia as well as Central and South American where he learned the secret language of humanity’s green co-inhabitants of Planet Earth.

PRINCE AND PURPLE RAIN 40 YEARS by Andrea Swensson

Authoritatively written and including rare photography and memorabilia, this sumptuous slipcased hardcover is the only illustrated gift book to examine Prince’s most iconic album and film, Purple Rain.

In 1984, Prince, along with his band, The Revolution, released what would become his best-selling album and a touchstone of 1980s pop culture. Purple Rain has gone on to sell 25 million copies and counting. In Prince and Purple Rain, Andrea Swensson, a Minneapolis-based journalist and host/co-producer of Prince | Official Podcast, takes a deep dive into the legendary musician’s most famous album on its 40th anniversary. Swensson covers it all, from Prince’s upbringing and influences, the albums preceding Purple Rain, recording of the album and making of the film, its extraordinary impact and it’s legacy. The book features a foreword by Prince superfan Maya Rudolph, interviews with musicians who worked with Prince, stunning concert and off-stage photography, and lush purple velvet slipcase.

Links to purchase: https://geni.us/PrinceandPurpleRain

501 Essential Albums of the 90s: The Music Fan’s Definitive Guide by Gary Graff

A book designed to start arguments! In 501 Essential Albums of the ’90s, Gary Graff leads a cast of fellow music journalists in presenting the music of everyone’s favorite decade…the last decade before the proliferation of social media and digital downloads. With lively descriptions of the releases and over 600 images, this hefty 448-page volume curates 501 albums spanning genres and subgenres—pop, hip-hop, R&B, grunge, metal, country, and world music. Organized by year, there’s knowledgeable rundowns of ever album featured, album art for each selection, artist images, record label release date and producer(s) for each.  

Links to purchase: https://geni.us/501EssentialAlbums

Taylor Swift is Life by Kathleen Perricone

Celebrate your best Swiftie life with this gorgeously illustrated, all-encompassing fan book on everything there is to know and love about the modern icon that is Taylor Swift. This treasure trove of essential Swiftie knowledge includes a full biography capturing her early inspiration and first performances through her sensational 2023-2024 Eras Tour, a full discography with the significance of each album and the meanings behind every Track 5, Swiftology, Taylorscopes, and much more. Both a tribute to our beloved Tay and a chic showpiece for any well-appointed bookshelf, Taylor Swift Is Life is a must-have title for every true Swiftie.

Links to purchase: https://geni.us/TaylorSwiftIsLife

*Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this holiday book gift guide. Images and info were also provided.

 In this delightful Christmas Mouse story, SANTA MOUSE FINDS A FURRY FRIEND written by Michael Brown and illustrated by Robert McPhillips, Santa’s littlest helper helps bring a lost kitten home on Christmas Eve (Little Simon).

The idea for writing the Santa Mouse stories came to Michael Brown (1920–2014) while holding a piece of children’s pajama fabric featuring a tiny Christmas mouse. He went to work creating the character that was to become Santa’s little helper and the brand was created in 1966. This newly discovered holiday picture book is the perfect addition to the well-known and beloved brand.

MORE SANTA MOUSE:

Santa Mouse Makes a Christmas Wish  by Michael Brown

October 5, 2021 | ISBN: 9781534437999 | Little Simon | Ages 3-7

Santa Mouse searches for his true Christmas talent in Santa’s workshop in this magical 8×8 storybook about finding your own special way to celebrate the holiday.

Santa Mouse, Where Are You? by Michael Brown

October 26, 2021 | ISBN: 9781534438026 | Little Simon | Ages 4-8

Santa’s littlest helper gets lost and must find his way back to Santa’s sleigh in time to save Christmas in this delightful holiday picture book.

The 12 Days of Christmas: A Holiday Fantasy

Written and Illustrated by Todd Lockwood

From renowned fantasy illustrator and bestselling author Todd Lockwood comes a holiday picture book that brings young readers a new and magical Christmastime adventure! The timeless Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is brought to life through Lockwood’s vibrant and spirited artistic hand. 

Holidays All Year

By: Neil Goldberg & Niko Nickolaou

Illustrated by: John Kelly

Best friends POMP, SNOW, and CIRQUEumstance wrap up Christmas and prepare for more holidays around the world. They study the calendar and learn about different holidays (New Year’s, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Passover, Easter, Ramadan, Independence Day, Halloween, Diwali Festival of Lights, and Christmas), as they set out to brighten holidays all year.

n today’s fast-paced world, parents are always seeking meaningful ways to connect with their children and cherish the beautiful moments of their lives. Sarah Dennehy’s new book, Mindful with Me, makes this connection not only possible but also easy and fun. With simple mindfulness practices that take just minutes a day, parents and children can feel calmer, happier, and more focused together.

Mindful with Me introduces a variety of engaging activities such as alligator breathing, volcano jumps, sensory walks, and bedtime wind-downs. These activities encourage parents and children to move, breathe, relax, and create together, fostering a deeper connection and enhancing overall well-being.

Mindful with Me is an invaluable tool not just for parents but also for caregivers, teachers, and anyone who lives or works with children. By practicing mindfulness together for just a few minutes each day, children can learn to self-regulate, manage big emotions, and build stronger connections with their parents. The book features over 55 age-appropriate mindfulness activities with easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring that families can start their mindfulness journey right away.

Through Mindful with Me, parents and children will discover new ways to connect deeply, feel less stressed, and cope more effectively with life’s challenges. Dive into the world of mindfulness with your child and create moments of joy and tranquility that will last a lifetime.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Dennehy, M.Ed., began her mindfulness practice while working as a behavioral specialist one-on-one with parents and in schools. Seeking new effective ways to help young clients deal with stress and anxiety, Sarah earned teaching certifications for children’s yoga and mindfulness. Sarah then founded The Mindful Space (createamindfulspace.com), which offers mindfulness classes and training for kids, parents, teachers, and therapists. She’s also a program director for a nonprofit that provides trauma-informed mindfulness in schools. Sarah lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Eric.

The Collective Book Studio, a woman-owned, independent press based in Oakland, CA, publishes high-quality lifestyle, gift, and children’s books. Their books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages. For more information, visit www.simonandschuster.com.

*Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature for the holidays. Information and images were also provided.

A Book Lover’s Boxby Workman Publishing, Illustrated by Louise Pretzel ( $35.00; ISBN 9781523527588)

Celebrate the joy of reading with this stationery box specially designed for book lovers. 

Cynthia Hart’s Victoriana Dogs: The Sticker Bookby Cynthia Hart;( $17.00; ISBN 9781523526154)

A curated collection of 300 stickers, featuring vintage dogs from the Victorian era, Cynthia Hart’s Victoriana Dogs: The Sticker Book is an ode to the joy dogs have brought since the 19^th century. 

Cynthia Hart’s Victoriana Dogs: 12 Wrapping Papers and Gift Tagsby Cynthia Hart; ( $19.99; ISBN 9781523526161)

Featuring 12 perforated gift tags and 12 gorgeously illustrated sheets of wrapping paper that fold out to 18 7/8’ x 25 3/4’, make your gifts stand out with this elegant wrapping.

The Stress Resets Deck by Jennifer L. Taitz, PsyD, ABPP ( $18.99; ISBN  9781523523344)

Adapted from her Stress Resets book, clincial psychologist, Dr. Jennifer L. Taitz provides readers with scientifically based exercises to manage stress. Using strategies backed by research, each card features a WHEN/HOW/WHY format making it easy to flip through and find relief. This full color card deck is perfect for anxious readers, helping reset the mind, body, behavior, and promote healthy habits.

Homebody: 12 DIY Posters to Decorate Your Happy Place by Amanda Jane Jones ($19.99; ISBN 9781523529452) From award-winning Kinfolk founding art director, Amanda Jane Jones, this curated collection of DIY typographic posters celebrates the joys of staying at home.

The next two box sets are perfect for parents!

The Montessori Family Collection (Boxed Set) by Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike ($65.00; ISBN 9781523528066) Give the gift of Montessori with the complete collection of the bestselling series that shows parents how to use the principles of Montessori to raise independent, curious, and compassionate kids. The perfect gift for new families, no matter what the occasion, brings together three bestselling books that show parents how to bring the principles of Montessori home.

There Are Moms and Dads Way Worse Than You (Boxed Set) by Glenn Boozan illus. by Priscilla White ( $30.00; ISBN 9781523527823)

In this New York Times bestselling humor gift book for parents who need a laugh, you can now enjoy both books in one boxed set! Each book in Glenn Boozan’s viral and bestselling gift book series is filled with rhyming couplets that highlight bad moms from the animal kingdom or notoriously bad dads in history and pop culture.

By Tim Button, Illustrated by Ana Martín Larranaga

Find out who giggles and who doesn’t in this playful book that ends with a delightful, giggly surprise!

Hi Lion, are you giggly?
How about you, Zebra? Are you giggly?

Young readers find out who giggles and who doesn’t in this fun, playful board book. Bright illustrations by Ana Larrañaga introduce readers to a collection of African animals and the sounds they make. When they get to the novelty mirror in the back of the book, children will be delighted to discover the giggliest creature of all: themselves!

Gray Fox wanders alone in the forest at night. The woods are illuminated in the silvery light of the full moon and stars. She gazes around in wonder at the light in the birch grove and stops to look at her reflection in the river. But something calls to her in her reverie. She must return to her den by dawn to care for her kits when they wake.

With simple poetry young children will love, Gray Fox in the Moonlight is a journey through a nighttime wonderland that celebrates the love between parents and children. Simple two-color illustrations overflow with light in this evergreen story that illustrates the value of independence in the parental relationship as well as the powerful bond which calls us home from wandering. Gray Fox in the Moonlight revels in the profound beauty of nature.

… as you wonder and marvel and grow,
There are some things in life that I hope you will know …

So begins a love letter from an unnamed narrator to their dearest one. Rhyming couplets peppered with metaphor offer readers thirteen heart-felt and admirable credos, together presenting a guide for a life well lived.

These collected words of wisdom express the narrator’s deepest wishes for their cherished one as they step into their future, perhaps most importantly that they are loved unconditionally. This joyfully illustrated and artfully designed package may be shared with a loved one of any age to complement life’s milestone moments and holidays.

*Self Disclosure: I received the above books to feature for the holidays. Images and information were also provided.