Connecting the Dots
My thoughts on art, books & life.
The Doll Shop Downstairs by Yona Zeldis McDonough and Heather Maione
This was a fun, easy and educational read about a sweet family that lives above the doll-repair shop that they own. As immigrants, the family has adapted china repair skills they learned in their native country to fixing china dolls in America. The 3 Jewish sisters, enjoy playing with the 'unfixable' abandoned dolls who have not been claimed by their owners. When WWI begins, things become tense...
The Doll Shop Downstairs by Yona Zeldis McDonough and Heather Maione
This was a fun, easy and educational read about a sweet family that lives above the doll-repair shop that they own. As immigrants, the family has adapted china repair skills they learned in their native country to fixing china dolls in America. The 3 Jewish sisters, enjoy playing with the 'unfixable' abandoned dolls who have not been claimed by their owners. When WWI begins, things become tense...
A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
After taking a hiatus for a bit, our Double Scoops are back!!!! And we have several more in the works and can't wait to get them up. So without further delay we bring you . . . Many of our readers are on Summer vacation right now, and we here at Bookscoops think that A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee is the perfect book to inspire you to enjoy one of summer's many adventures- camping! Okay, so we...
Purple Day Challenge Report and Thank You!!!!
First off Holly and I would like to say thank you to all who participated. We feel that our first Purple Day Mini-Challenge was a success and we could not have done that without the help of some loyal readers, family and friends. Not everyone was comfortable making comments in a public forum and I received several emails telling me that people were participating. We would like to spotlight the...
Summer Reading Is Here!
You may be wondering how to help your kids find great books to read. We get lots of requests for recommendations, and while we are happy to share what we know, there are many different books, and many different readers! So, following please find a few recommendations categorized by genre. Some of our recommendations are series, others are authors. As lovers of literature- especially for children...
Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock illustrated by Carolyn Conahan
I saw this book on display at the library and it spoke to me. “Take me home, your kids will love me!” I paused for a moment and thought to myself, “Do I really need this book?” I recalled a dinner conversation (or should I say argument?) that we had once while my husband was out of town. It was all about farts and whether or not cows or horses do it (yes, they do) and whether or not lots of...
Don’t Be Afraid Little Pip by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
Little Pip is an adorable penguin who yearns to fly. Children may well recognize themselves in her stubborn refusal to try swimming. A fun lyrical adventure about trying something new for the first time. Filled with beautiful illustrations that bring summer and swimming lessons to mind. You need to check this book out if you are planning swimming lessons for a reluctant swimmer. My son really...
Don’t Be Afraid Little Pip by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
Little Pip is an adorable penguin who yearns to fly. Children may well recognize themselves in her stubborn refusal to try swimming. A fun lyrical adventure about trying something new for the first time. Filled with beautiful illustrations that bring summer and swimming lessons to mind. You need to check this book out if you are planning swimming lessons for a reluctant swimmer. My son really...
Purple Day Celebration Report
On Thursday night we picked out my daughter's outfit for Friday and changed her earrings to purple ones so she would be already for the big day. Yesterday was a teacher work day at school for me, which means no students, but I work with some awesome teachers. They wore purple ribbons made by my niece to show support for my daughter and at least a half-dozen other staff members who have family...
Becky the Brave: A Story About Epilepsy by Laurie Lears, Illustrated by Gail Piazza
Becky the Brave: A Story About Epilepsy by Laurie Lears and illustrated by Gail Piazza is the only book I could find at either public library system in my area. I of course had to get my hands on it and within a week of my daughter's diagnosis we were able to check it out. Gratefully, Lears does an excellent job in this book and my daughter really liked it. I tend to turn to books in times of...
A Mini Challenge for Purple Day: Supporting Epilepsy Awareness Around the World on March 26
Please note we are doing another challenge for Purple Day including two book giveaways of When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead and The Day-Glo Brothers by Chris Barton. Click on the link or the button to read our current challenge. Spread the word and use our button. Bookscoops is thrilled to announce that our blue theme is going purple this week!!!! My sister, Holly, and I are excited to...
Baby on the Way by William Sears, Martha Sears and Christie Watts Kelley, illustrated by Renee Andriani
I thought in honor of my sister Holly's recent bundle of joy and to announce the upcoming arrival of baby #3 for my family I thought I would review Baby on the Way by William Sears, Martha Sears and Christie Watts Kelley. I used this book with my oldest when we were expecting baby #2 and I really liked it. It's my favorite so far in explaining to children what happens when you get a new sibling....
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendac
Where the Wild Things Are has long been one of my favorite children's books. My family and I own copies in both Spanish and English (although I must admit, I prefer the original English version). In fact, I love this book so much, that a few years ago, my friends and I entered a sidewalk chalk art contest and re-created one of our favorite scenes. We had a great time hearing all the comments as...
I’m Buying Books for Birthdays Take II:Rapunzel’s Revenge
Last year for my daughter's 5th birthday in an attempt to promote literacy, be more environmentally friendly and inspired by I'm Buying Books for Holidays campaign started by Amy at My Friend Amy - I gave out books as party favors. I'm just not a big fan of cheap plastic toys that are not good for the environment and pose a choking risk to my 1 year old. The theme last year was Curious George...
A Shadow in the Dark by Ronica Stromberg
I have to admit, I was intrigued from the start when the author, Ronica Stromberg, contacted me about sending a review copy of this book. If you know anything about me and my sister, it's that we grew up on mysteries, so a girl with a shadow for a neighbor, was definitely tantalizing. I was excited to get the book soon after in the mail, and actually read it a few weeks ago, but I've been busy,...
Happy New Year’s. . .um I am mean a belated Valentine’s Day!!!
If you've noticed (is anyone still reading our blog?) we still have our Holiday season buttons on our blog. I feel a little bit sheepish kind of like the neighbor down the street who just took down their Christmas decorations down last week. I have been a bit absent from the book blogging community as has my sister who is preparing for baby #4. We are still here and I have plans to jump back in...
Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper
I read this, the second in a series, without reading the first, "The Sign of the Sugared Plum". My husband picked some great books up for me at the library when I was sick, and this was one he came home with. Luckily, it is great reading and stands on its own, without the necessity of reading the first book, although now I would really like to read the first one. Set in England during the 'Black...
We’re Buying Books for the Holidays!
We are Buying Books for the Holidays because literacy is something we love and love to promote. Books also happen to be one of our favorite gifts to give and to get because there are so many great ones to choose from! As some of you are very aware, the publishing industry has felt the squeeze of our diminished economy. So, this year even more than last year, your support of books and the book...
Nic Bishop Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop
We are big fans of Nic Bishop in our house and here at Bookscoops as my sister and I reviewed Nic Bishop Spiders for our Double Scoop in March and I reviewed Nic Bishop Frogs, which is my favorite, the month before. I highly recommend both of those other books. I finally got a copy of Butterflies and Moth meaning we actually purchased this one. My daughter loved the photographs and learning...
Nic Bishop Butterflies and Moths by Nic Bishop
We are big fans of Nic Bishop in our house and here at Bookscoops as my sister and I reviewed Nic Bishop Spiders for our Double Scoop in March and I reviewed Nic Bishop Frogs, which is my favorite, the month before. I highly recommend both of those other books. I finally got a copy of Butterflies and Moth meaning we actually purchased this one. My daughter loved the photographs and learning...
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