What do you do when you have too many books?

This isn’t a book review. It’s a question. I’d like to know what you do when you have too many books? Or, does your world match the poster in my kid’s room by David Shannon which says Never Enough Books?

I enjoyed this article today on Houzz and thought I would share it with you all. It has some great ideas and tips. And it also made me feel more okay with my decision to park a big bookshelf in my entrway. I know most other people would put something else there, but I like to walk by books on my way to everywhere. I only wish I kept it dusted more frequently and a little more organized! It would help if my family didn’t think every shelf is for stashing things they don’t want to put away- like lego creations, pokemon cards and superheroes action figures. But, sometimes I think my kiddos leave their treasures on the bookshelf because they are trading them out for other treasures- great books to read!

How do you keep your home library under control? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Our give away for Bedtime in the Swamp and Middle Child Blues winners are . . .

Bonnie James gets a fantastic fun book of Bedtime in the Swamp and Emilia Williams gets the Middle Child Blues. Congratulations and I will contacting you shortly for a delivery address. Thanks everyone for participating.

Time for a Hug by Phillis Gershator and Mim Green illustrated by David Walker

Need an excuse for a hug?

I had a blast reading this board book with my little guy. There are lots of reasons for hugs throughout little rabbit’s day. Even though rabbit has lots to do, there is always time for hugs.

Not only will the carefully crafted verse roll off your tongue, but Walker’s art plants a little bit of spring and summer in your heart. This short, sweet book has it all- numbers, counting, rhyme, rhythm and lots of room for hugs and bed time loves. A perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or any occasion, Time for a Hug is a gift that keeps on giving every time you open it’s pages and share it with your little loved one. Time for  a Hug will make every day special!

 

Check out the Author(s) and Illustrator’s websites:

Phillis Gershator & Mim Green

David Walker

What others are saying about Time for a Hug:

Bookfoolery: “A happy book with a nice rhythm is always a pleasure to read. Time for a Hug is one of those books I can imagine a small child adoring and it’s certainly a great book to snuggle up and read (plus, a good excuse for lots of hugging).”

Lisa Reviews: “This is one of the cutest stories you will see out there. I love the illustrations too. The words are sing songy, so it definitely holds your kids attention.”

*I received a review copy courtesy of Josh Glickman at Sterling Publishing- thank you! The opinions in my review are my own.

We Go Together! A Curious Selection of Affectionate verse by Calef Brown

This is the perfect universal valentine gift! It is so quirky and unusual that it has something for everyone. We Go Together A Curious Selection of Affectionate Verse leaves lots of room for wondering just which poem best applies, and at the same time ensures that each recipient knows they are loved and appreciated- platonically or otherwise. With so many verses to choose from, there is sure to be a favorite for everyone. What’s your favorite valentine verse?

What others are saying:

Jennifer at Literaticat– Need a Valentine for your daughter, son, bestie, westie, sister, brother, “Significant Other”, BF, GF, BFF, or super secret crush? Look no further!

Books for Kids– Just right for primary kids, but with vocabulary-expanding language and a depth of meaning that can even stick in the heart of a grownup, We Go Together!: A Curious Selection of

Affectionate Verse is a timely little volume to treasure for Valentine’s Day or anytime.

Author/Illustrator’s Info:

Don’t forget to check out Calef Brown’s website!

*I received a review copy of this book courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The opinions in this review are my own.

Pigs in Love by Teddy Slater illustrated by Aaron Boyd

Pigs in Love is filled with ideas of the many ways to show love- to buddies and sweethearts, fathers and mothers and yes, even to pesky little brothers (Please excuse my rhyme. That’s not an actual line from the book, but the whole rhyming thing obviously rubbed off a little). You may want to spout valentine poetry to your loved ones too after you’ve read this fun book!

Here’s my favorite line:

“Sows and piglets, hogs, and swine- everyone’s someone’s valentine.”

If you want something sweet but free from processed sugar to share with your valentine, try Pigs in Love from Sterling Children’s Books.

*I received a review copy of Pigs in Love courtesy of Sterling Books. The opinions in this review are my own.

Home Front Girl- A Diary of Love, Literature, and Growing up in Wartime America By Joan Wehlen Morrison

 

I feel like I have a new friend after reading Home Front Girl. Joan Wehlen was so palpable on the pages of this book, that I wish I had in fact met her and could call her my friend. Full of historical snippets and teenage soliloquys, Home Front Girl is the Yin to Anne Frank’s Yang.

One of my favorite parts is something Joan Wrote at age 17:

“Oh you, my generation! –we were a lovely lot! Sharp minds—arguing all the time and brittle bodies and even more brittle laughter—and all the time knowing that we were growing up to die. Because we weren’t fooled, you know. All through those bright-colored years of adolescence we knew we were growing up to disaster. For at least four years—well, three, before it happened, we knew it was coming. Some sort of inner sense of war lay upon us. We were pretty brave—we joked about it the way we joked about love and about the polio epidemic when we were all scared to death of it.”

Joan, more than anyone I’ve ever heard of at this time, felt the world was small- that all were worthy of brotherhood and peace, and saving and that war for anyone and everyone was wrong. This is illustrated in another one of her quotes, “London is Troy tonight. . . . Berlin is Troy too.” I think in this sense Joan is somewhat unusual for her generation, for most youth of her time were not pacifist. (Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong on that.)

I highly recommend Home Front Girl as a primary source for research and insight into the Greatest Generation as so many have called Joan and her peers. Joan’s writings are full of insight and humor and the every day happenings of a teenage girl. Even though Joan had profound insights, she also struggled with the same thing teenage girls struggle with now- school, boys, parents and knowing what to believe in.

Thanks to Susan Signe Morrison, Joan’s daughter for wading through pages and pages of memories to bring her mother’s diary to light and share it with the rest of us. I received a review copy of this book at no cost to me courtesy of Caitlin Eck, publicist for Independent Publishers Group. The opinions are my own.