Color Own World

My Graphic

The real graphic

Do you see the difference?

Mine is Color YOUR World and the real slogan is Color Our World

I confess, I don't remember if I made this choice, or it was just my brain getting the slogan wrong.

HOWEVER

I actually really like it better with Color YOUR World.

To me, YOUR implies that the kids are kids are responsible for creating art in their world, for taking a look at their community, for being a part of something bigger. 

With the world being in a tough spot, I think focusing on your town/city is a sweet idea.

And it's nothing against the original slogan. But that's my two cents on changing it and why I'm keeping it

Board Books

Just a few new to me/my library board books:

There's no story here, which would have made this book better. However, it's an wonderful read. Slides for different animals and a look and find on each spread. This book is so fun to pour over. 

We all need alone time, but sometimes you just need a great big hug!

Great pictures and great vocabulary for little ones.

Little Bunny and his friends are looking for Spring. It's cute what they find. 

One little one wants to do everything their family do - to be just like them. And they are happy to discover, at the end, that they are. The illustrations are lovely.

Slides, Flaps, and look and finds! I'm not sure how long the flaps will last, but this is a really cute book that's a whole lot of fun. 

This is my new favorite board book - super cute and sweet. Lots of puns in this one and ALL the food. 

Picture Book Wednesday: We are Lion Dancers

 

Lily and Noah are excited about the lion dancers who will be in the Lunar New Year parade. They learn more about the traditions and how the lion dancers move. 

This is a fun book that shares lots of information about lunar New Year and the dancing. The illustrations are bright and festive. There's a note after the story he legend of Nian and the dancing tradition. 

Top Ten Tuesday: New to me Authors

 This week's topic is authors I read that were new to me in 2024

Have you read any of these?

Review: Away

 

* companion novel to Alone * 

In the middle of the night, people in Colorado are rounded up and told to evacuate. They are loaded up on buses after gathering one bag to take with them. They're not told why they're being forced to leave.

They're bused to former camp, not in use since the Cold War.  They're forced to give up their cell phones and electronics. There a journalist meets a film maker meets a future doctor meets a teen who grew up on a ranch. The four teens form a bond between them. They interview people in the camp. 

Time passes. They still haven't been told the reason behind their evacuation, only that it's not safe for them. Their homes are in the contamination zone. But to the teens, nothing makes sense. They start questioning what they know - but more importantly what they don't know. Could there be something more to the story?

* While this is a companion novel, readers who pick up this book first won't miss out on any story. There is a nod to ALONE, that readers will enjoy if they have read that book.

** There is a cow that dies after giving birth, but all the other animals are fine.

My Thoughts: I loved this book. The formatting was different - poems, media announcements, newspaper write-ups, letters, and screenplay. While this book is long, it's a short read. First because of the format and second because of the tension. I'm so glad Megan Freeman wrote this book - it's all about friendship, big government, and uncovering the truth. I love how these characters gravitated towards each other and became friends. I love how they helped each other through the tough moments and didn't back down. Popcorn is adorable! Make time to read this one!

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have middle grade novel for your school or public library collection

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Picture Book Review: Winter Books

Just a few winter books

This is a cute book all about winter: includes playing in the snow, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, and Valentine's day. The illustrations are charming and cozy. 

A family spends the day playing out in the snow. And it's magical! 

I love the moments between the boy and his dog. The moment with the snowball and the boy's father made me laugh. A cozy book that's perfect to read inside snuggled underneath a blanket - after playing in the snow of course. 

* book sent for review 

Kids Summer Reading (3): Food Ideas

 

Two weeks ago, I shared Rainbow craft ideas.

Last week, I shared more craft ideas

This week is all about food crafts. Last year, I had a s'more theme and I really liked it.

So, this year, I'm going with a rainbow theme. 

If you're new to the blog, here's a recap of the program we call Foodie Fun. 

As always, these come from Pinterest. 

Marshmallow pops

Decorate Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Rainbow Necklace or stand up Rainbow

Rainbow Pretzels

Rainbow Bark

Rainbow Wafers 

(for a T&M, I could change the bananas to frosting but in person, I would leave the bananas)

Paint brush Rice Krispie Treats

Better in-person:

Yogurt parfait

Bread Painting

Enjoy! Come back next week for another post!

Mood Board: Brewing with Love

 Earlier this month, I participated in a blog tour for BREWED WITH LOVE.

I didn't have a chance to finish the book before posting, but I was already hooked.

Now that I've finished, I decided to make a mood board for it.

It was a five-star read.

It was part a love story and part investigation

With a little magic and some paranormal elements. 

It was a cozy read that reminded me a Hallmark movie, even though its YA

So looking forward to the author's next book! 

Review: Believe

I just rewatched this show and it still makes me so happy. When I saw there was a book about it, I immediately put it on hold at the library. 

There are so many fantastic moments from the show. 

Mostly, this book talks about the show in quotes from the people making the show. But it does also take an in-depth look at certain episodes. 

Things this book talked about:

 Casting stories

How the made it very similar to the Empire Strikes Back

Grey wig (I was curious about this one)

Friendship between Rebecca and Keely (Honestly, I could have read a lot more about this)

How much Jason was in every part of this 

Blueprint for the three seasons - down to the music that ended the show

Beard = soccer/football expert 

Pop Culture Moments - several I didn't get but now understand

The full circle moments

How it was shot: 

Season 1: before the pandemic. No one knew about the show. 

Season 2: during the pandemic - after the show had just won a bunch of awards. Longer episodes and two more: Christmas and Bear After Hours. 

Season 3: after the pandemic and in front of crowds - longer shoots. 

Writing still happening during the entire show, but much more during the last season, because they wanted to tie up all the stories and get it right.

How the filmed the show, especially the soccer scenes. That was very interesting to read about. And it seems like a nightmare to shoot and then edit. It makes sense why there was so much time between the seasons.

What I wish it had more of:

Trent Crimm - they didn't really mention too much about the book he was writing

Honestly, I could have read so many more pages to this book. It was really good. Highly recommended if you're a fan of Ted Lasso. 

Picture Book Wednesday: No Bear Anywhere

Bruin is happy to go on a vacation, he wants to find a bear! As they walk along the path Bruin finds so many things - but no bear.

My Thoughts: This is such a cute story - about nature and family. I love how Bruin finds treasures in nature with his family. I love the soft illustrations in this story. This is one to read again and again! 

A must have book for your public and school library

Top Ten Tuesday: TBR additions

 This week's topic is all about TBR additions. Thanks to the Fated Mates podcast list, I added several romance books to my list

Any of these on your list too?