Embracing a Healthy Family: childrens books
Showing posts with label childrens books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childrens books. Show all posts

Scarecrow Finds a Friend by Blume J. Rifken Book Review




Product Details:
  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Whirlpool Press (August 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0979694809
  • ISBN-13: 978-0979694806

Imagine a witch needing help to regain her flying powers from a scarecrow and you have this delightful children's story by author Blume J. Rifken.  Tally, who is a good witch, lost her power to fly and needs the help of Scarecrow to regain those powers.  Scarecrow met Tally at Halloween when she granted him a wish.  Tally grants many wishes and forgot that the very thing that gave her happiness could take away her abilities to fly.  Unknown to them, Scarecrow has a plan and the story gives the little ones a chance to see a true form of friendship and the rewarding outcome of helping one another.

This is a heartwarming story about friendship and teamwork.  It is a great read anytime but particularly a good choice during the fall.  Both my girls were delighted as I read the story to them and they enjoyed the illustrations by Carl Wenzel.

The author, Blume J. Rifken, is a former fashion illustrator and is the author of Silhouettes in America, 1790-1840: A Collector's Guide.  Scarecrow Finds a Friend was her first book inspired by her two grandchildren.

 

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Little Skink's Tail Book Review by Janet Halfmann



This is truly a delightful book after having a chance to read it to my girls.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and the story is fun yet educational.  Little Skink takes his little audience on a journey among many different animals to find a new tail.  The way Ms. Halfmann presents Little Skink's path is interesting, playful and fun.  I like how Ms. Halfmann utilizes the story to teach children about animals and the various tails each one has.  Seeing how Little Skink and his tail are involved in this tale of pursuit is sure to captivate any child.  Laurie Allen Klein's illustrations really piece the whole story together.  I think it will also increase imagination as the children might try to imagine themselves with a different tail just as Little Skink does.


Ms. Halfmann has been writing children's books for more than 20 years.  Little Skink's Tail is her 28th book.  This book was dedicated to her granddaughter which makes it even more speical.  Ms. Halfmann used to be a manager, editor and writer of coloring and activity books for Golden Books so she has plenty of experience on what children like.

The back of Little Skink's Tail has three pages dedicated "for creative minds."  Once you purchase the book, the pages can also be photocopied or downloaded for use.
  • Footprint Activity Map
  • Adaptations: Why do animals have tails?
  • Tail Matching Activity
Each page provided a laugh by my two year old and the six year tried to read the words she knew.  I would recommend this book to any child!  My girls loved it!

If you want more information on this book or any other book offered by Sylvan Dell Publishing, click HERE.

One newer option that I was not aware of are eBooks.  This is great for kids who do love to be on the computer as it allows them to read their favorite book right on the computer!  Click HERE for more information.  Since I had the hard book and access to the eBook for Little Skink's Tail, I was able to compare. There were no differences in the quality or ability to read and another benefit of having an eBook is it takes up less space!

Little Skink's Tail received many awards/recognition:
  • 2009 Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award
  • 2009 FPA President's Award Best Children's Book
  • 2009 Mom's Choice Awards GOLD:  Best Three Children's Books of 2009, Children's Picture Book-Animal Kingdom, Educators' Choice
  • 2009 Florida Recommended Summer Reading List
Sylvan Dell Publishing has many other features outside of books and gifts, they also offer resources for teachers and librarians, parents and homeschoolers and children.

I particularly loved the area for children.  There were fun learning games, activities for creative minds, teaching activities, audio books and much more!

Interested in any author signings and events, Sylvan Dell Publishing has them listed HERE.

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