Our Book Favorites for July!

Make Your Own Zoo contains 35 projects for you and your child to do together and are suitable for children aged six years and older. Divided into six sections – Safari, Jungle, Arctic, Aviary, Aquarium and Enclosures & Scenery – each chapter has ideas inspired from all areas of the animal kingdom.

A love of craft has always weaved in and out of Tracey Radford’s life: throughout her childhood in Northern Ireland, her career as a BBC journalist and now, as a busy mom of three. A keen recycler and upcycler, the crafting house rule is: ‘only what’s on hand is allowed’, which usually means whatever’s in the recycling pile! Tracey started making cardboard animals with her daughter, and that’s how their zoo adventure began. Make Your Own Zoo brings together all of Tracey’s original creations with many new ones, and there are more waiting in the wings. Visit Tracey’s blog at patchworkparent.blogspot.co.uk

    

THE MERMAID’S SECRET is a wonderful, seafaring tale of magic, family and identity.

Set on an island off the Maine coast, this sophomore novel is the ultimate in beach reading.

It’s “Splash” meets “Jaws” with a touch of magic and adventure, appealing to both women’s fiction and fantasy fans alike.

In a recent 4-star review, RT Book Reviews said that the new novel delivers a “fast pace and believable emotion from the characters.” Schickel’s debut novel, HOUSEWITCH, was one of Booklist’s Top 10 Women’s Fiction for 2015.

In CLEAR TO LIFT,

Wilson continues to pen strong, groundbreaking women’s fiction that has little patience for gender expectations.
It’s a thrilling story of a woman’s journey to find confidence, truth, love, and herself against the majestic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. The sophomore novel is full of action and adventure, dangerous and heart-stopping rescues, blizzards and floods, family secrets and second chances.

The trade paperback edition of Anne Wilson‘s debut novel, HOVER, was recently featured in Working Mother magazine as one of their Top 12 Mom-approved Books to Give on Mother’s Day.Looking for Fun Craft type Books for the older Kids this Summer?

I highly recommend these two!

      

The Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide series leads the way with step-by-step instructions in all kinds of crafts: Bead Crafts, Sewing, Crochet, Knitting and (new!) Braiding and Knotting.

This one is so much fun! It can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Rubber Band Glam can also be purchased on Amazon.com.

I love this next one from Arbordale Publishing.

Sharks and Dolphins

By Kevin Kurtz

Sharks and dolphins both have torpedo-shaped bodies with fins on their backs. They slice through the water to grab their prey with sharp teeth. But despite their similarities, sharks and dolphins belong to different animal classes: one is a fish and gets oxygen from the water and the other is a mammal and gets oxygen from the air. Marine educator Kevin Kurtz guides early readers to compare and contrast these ocean predators through stunning photographs and simple, nonfiction text.

I love how this is fun to read and also educational! Great for ages 4-8.

The next one is not a fun fiction read. But, it is a more serious read that I highly recommend for all parents!

 

Mindfulness expert, Kathy Walsh, teaches parents how to raise peaceful kids in her new book,

Thirty Days to a Mindful Home.

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How do I bring mindfulness and peace into my home?” Look no further, as Kathy Walsh has the perfect guide to help you do just that!

Why did Kathy write this book?

I wrote 30 Days to a Mindful Home to give parents the tools to help make their homes and families more peaceful. Just like any diet or exercise plan, it takes thirty days to make something a habit. Each day gives parents one mindfulness tool that they can use that day. As a parent of two beautiful daughters, I understand how busy parents can be. So, I made these tools simple, easy and quick.

My intention for each parent is at the end of the thirty days’ they can take three mindfulness tips that resonate with them and use those for several years to come. Consistency is key and three simple mindful techniques used consistently works really well. With my two daughters I enjoyed creating the gratitude journals, the meditation at night, and the positive music playing around the house! For years we practiced these tools together, and I can see now that they are adults, that these mindfulness tools made a positive impact on their lives

What is a Mindful Home?

Let me first say that a mindful home is not perfect by any means. Having a mindful home is having a positive look on life. It is realizing that peace is an inside job; nothing external can bring that to you. It often includes being conscious of how we set an intention for the home. For example, “In this home, we are compassionate towards animals, respect the earth, and take time to breathe and listen to our hearts.” In a mindful home we look at life through the eyes of love. Seeing your child in a positive light, making gratitude a habit and taking time to be in the moment, all help to make a home more peaceful.

All of Kathy’s nine books, including Thirty Days to a Mindful Home, are available for purchase on Amazon.com and the Baby’s Brilliant App.

To learn more about Kathy, visit: www.peaceplaceforkids.com

This next one is a delightful story for younger children!

Irish Beth Maddock’s The Great Carp Escape.

This one is truly a delightful story and it truly is touching!

Based on a true story, Maddock shares an inspirational fish “tail” of love and discovery for all of God’s creation. Abandoned by her mother at age four and raised by a working father, Maddock was left to care for her one year old brother. Her book, a quiet allegory of the Gospel of Jesus, is a celebration of God’s redeeming love in her life.

 

First released in Canada, The Great Carp Escape has garnered 10 literary award placements. Maddock hopes to spread her message of positive values to children through knowledge and discovery.

Maddock has been a newspaper columnist, been featured in Reader’s Digest, and on broadcasts including: 100 Huntley Street, CHBC Television, and CBC Radio.

Her children’s title, The Great Carp Escape, is available as a fundraiser for schools, churches, charities and ministries in need and has already raised thousands of dollars for such causes. As a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Independent Book Publishers Association, Inscribe, and The World Guild, Maddock would like to continue to do something about those ideas that get downloaded into her brain at 2AM. To learn more about Irish, visit her website here.

Looking for more fun things to do outside this Summer?

101 Things to Do Outside is a must-read!

101 Things to Do Outside

Loads of fantastically fun reasons to get up, get out, and get active!

From animal tracking and survival skills to using a compass and growing vegetables, 101 Things to Do Outside is the perfect guide for young explorers and aspiring adventurers longing for a taste of the great outdoors. Right outside your front door, there’s a world bursting with adventures just waiting to be explored. This pocket-sized book is overflowing with things to try, do, learn, and remember (plus it has a handy checklist!).

Author: Creative Team of Weldon Owen.

I love the variety of fun things to do in this book!

 

Series: 101 Things

– See more here.

 

Stay tuned for the Top Book Choices in August!

Self Disclosure: I did receive free copies of most of the books above to feature. No other compensation was received. If you have a book and would like to be featured, please contact us. We are currently booked through August 2016. Photos and info were provided.