Dollars & sense. A kid's guide to using, not losing, money.

by Elaine Scott

illustrations by David Clark

age range: 10 years old and up

Dollars & sense is a well written guide containing the information kids should know about money, and how to responsibly use it. Starting from bartering and others mediums of exchange before currency, it goes all the way to how to manage your own money, covering a great variety of concepts like economy, debt, loans, credits, interest, profits, checking and savings accounts, credit cards, investment, and many more. 

I found the text accessible, accompanied by many pictures, fact boxes, and some graphics. I wish it were more colorful, since the white, black and green presentation gives it a more "serious" appearance than it seems to have been the main idea. But in the overall I liked the book and would recommend it.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The frog that lost his croak

by Anne Toole

illustrated by Richa Kinra

age range: 4 to 7 years old

Outskirtspress

This is the story of a little frog who loved to hear his own croak more than anything. He croaked louder, and louder, over other frogs' croaks. He croaked even at night, making impossible to sleep. He also loved to boast about his croak.

One day he got soaked in the rain and lost his croak. He was desperate, but nothing could be done except to rest and wait. In this forced silence he discovered diverse sounds around him: crickets chirping, leaves rustling, wings flapping. How many beautiful sounds he has been missing, only worried about hearing his own croak!

Frog's voice came back, and he was glad of being able to croak again, but he also enjoyed listening to the pond's sounds.

Cute story told in a rhymed and fluid text. The vocabulary is rich, but not necessary over challenging for the age range. The pages look gorgeous, with colorful illustrations. We played making the noises the frog discovers, and we also kept silent to find out new sounds around the house, and it was really funny.

I received this book from the author via Bostick Communications in exchange for an honest review.

Bedtime for Batman

by Michael Dahl

illustrated by Ethen Beavers

age range 2 years old and up

Fantastic bedtime story for superheroes' fans!

Every activity in the boy's bedtime routine is told in the a comic fashion. Batman gets the signal: dad points at the clock; Batman gets ready for the action: the boy wears his pajamas. Batman locks away the villains, the boy puts away his toys.

I found this book cute and original. The illustrations are colorful, and the layout allows to follow both stories, Batman's and boy's, in a perfect way. And very important: Batman pictures are faithful to the original. Nobody would like a Batman who doesn't look like a Batman!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The night the stars went out

text and illustrations by Suz Hughes

age range: 2 to 6 years old

Capstone Young Readers

Alien has the very important job of keeping the stars shiny. It's a full time job. He doesn't even have time to make friends or have fun. Despite all his efforts, one day the stars just went out. That was catastrophic! All he tried to fix it failed, so the Star HelpLine suggested to get some magic varnish at planet Earth. His arrival was a little troubled, since aliens float on Earth, but luckily he met a boy named George who happily helped him to make his way to the hard store and buy all the magic varnish they could carry. George also invited Alien to play with him, and they had a great time together. Alien couldn't believe how much fun was to have a friend! He felt so happy! And then he saw the night full of bright stars. He realized friendship was all the varnish he needed. It was time to came back to his planet, but George and Alien promised to be friends for ever, to grant a shiny, glowing, sparkling sky in the night.

Beautiful story about the importance of friendship to keep us healthy and bright. The text is simple enough to be read to toddlers too. I also loved the illustrations, colorful, smart, and sometimes crayon-like. As far as I know this is Hughes first book as author besides illustrator, and it's wonderful.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

That's not Fair! Getting to know your rights and Freedoms

by Danielle S. McLaughlin

illustrated by Dharmali Patel

CitizenKid series

Kids can press

age range: 7 and up

Set in City, this book tells in six short stories how Mayor Moe and the Councillors try to solve the city's problems with new laws, how sometime these new laws have unexpected consequences,  how every single law has an impact in citizen's rights and freedoms granted by democracy, and how difficult can be sometimes know what it's really fair. In a way easy to understand by kids, laws such as freedom of religion, the right to privacy and the right of equal treatment are explained.

Kids are strongly encouraged to think critically each time they think something is unfair, trying to answer questions like "Why was the law made? Will it work? Could there be unexpected results?"

I really loved this book, and think its approach is amazing. Usually topics related to politics and citizenship are not kids' first choice, but I would say "That's not fair!" it's a winner. I'm glad not only I read this book, but I discovered through it the CitizenKid series.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oliver saves the nature center

by Andrew Kranichfeld

illustrated by Sally Tobin

age range: 9 to 12 years old

Great read for Earth Day!

Oliver is an environmental educator at a nature center. Today he is planning to work at the pond. When he is walking on the wooded path, he hears someone talking to him. He can't see anyone near, and imagine his surprise when he discovers a big red and black painted turtle is the one talking to him!

The turtle is seeking for Oliver's help to save the nature center and her habitat. She explains to Oliver how the garbage, the cars, and other hazards are affecting the animals and the environment. She also asks Oliver to fix the greenhouse, abandoned long time ago.

Lots of people joins Oliver in the hard, but worthy work, of saving the nature center, and the results are amazing.

The story is entertaining and brings up many environmental issues. It's written in a easy to understand way, and includes a good amount of beautiful illustrations. At the end you will find activities, such as crosswords,  word search and jumble letters, plus a list of questions meant to encourage critical thinking. A cute leprechaun is also hidden in the pictures, waiting to be discovered by the reader.

I received this copy from the author in exchange of a honest review.

Life without Nico

by Andrea Maturana

and Francisco Javier Olea

age range: 3 to 6 years old.

Maia and Nico are best friends, and of course they do what best friends do: they share, and play, and laugh. Everything is better when they are together. Now you can understand why Maia is so shocked when she knows Nico and his family are moving away for a few months due to his father studies. How will she survive?

At the beginning it was really, really hard. Maia only could feel a big emptiness. Time seemed to move so slowly. But after some time she dared to try, and a new pet appeared. Then a new friend. Even piano lessons. Maia feels much happier now, and she loves to share all of this with Nico by phone.

And finally the great day is here. Nico will be back at any moment. Will Maia have time enough to play with him now that her life is so full of new things? But as soon as she sees Nico she knows. She just knows. Nico's place in her heart is intact.

Beautiful story to help kids make sense of normal feelings we all have when things unexpectedly change. Maia learns to make the best of the situation she has to go through. It's a very encouraging story. The pictures are lovely and sweet.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.