Book review: Angels (2013) Alexis York Lumbard

Book review: Angels (2013) by Alexis York Lumbard

This is a beautiful little picture book.

My psychological perspective

I love simple picture books that speaks beyond it's simple words. It's not so much about angels as about "differentness". Kids themselves, through this book can start to understand that they are unique in how they look and what that like, and that's all great. 

Things to talk to your children about: uniqueness, selfesteem, body image.

My Christian perspective

I am well aware that angels that are presented in this book differ to how angels are represented in the bible.  And when children are older, it will be important to draw this distinction.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

It's a great little book to have around. To remind kids that they are unique, and it doesn't make them better or worse than others. Probably aimed more at little girls than little boys.

Available on Amazon. If this was a gift, I would probably splurge for a handcover copy.

I was provided with a review copy of this book, but it did not influence my review opinions.

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Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014)- Sneak peak

Book review: Never Underestimate a Hermit Crab (2014) 

This is a book that you will enjoy reading with your children. And as I was reading it, I could just image all the different sound effects and voices that parents can put on to make this a fun time with their little ones. And it is a good reminder for ourselves, that our children can accomplish so many things without us realizing.

My Psychological perspective

I loved this book for several reasons. It's creative and promotes imagination. There are plenty of things for you to talk about with your kids. It's got a practical aspect- even instructions of how to look after your little hermit crabs. And it has a really good message. That, you too can have such fantastic adventures, and you are capable of more than you realize.

Things to talk to your children about

What other crazy things can our other boring pets and animals around be actually up to. Go to the pet shop to have a look at hermit crabs as a trip afterwards. This book can't just be read, you will need to do fantastic voices to give it justice.

My Christian perspective

Doesn't the bible remind us of this? Do not let them look down on your because you are small, but set a good example for the elders. Indeed, through teaching children, I have found that I have learned so much. And even in providing therapy to people, I also gain so much insight into the fantastic things people are capable of.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

This is a great little gift for kids who might get a new "boring" pet. But in general, it's a fun book to have around to teach kids that they too can accomplish things. And this will be a great book for parents who are struggling to enjoy reading with their kids.

Available on Amazon. March 18, 2014.

I was provided a copy for review but this did not influence my opinions.

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Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe

Book review: Zebra Stripes Go Head to Toe

My psychological perspective

This is a great book to have around homes and kindy. It's about all things square and stripped and is an excellent tool to help kids learn about shapes in the world around them.

My Christian perspective

After reading this book with your kids, why not go on a hunt for square/cubbed things you can pray about?

My overall view

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

Just like the Ladybugs have lots of spots, this is a niffty little book to have around. It teaches kids about shapes/patterns and is a book you can read over and over with little ones. Not quite as pretty, but I still enjoyed it.

Available at retailers including Amazon.com. 

I was provided a copy for review purposes but it has not influenced my opinion.

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Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots

Book review: Ladybugs Have Lots of Spots

Simple is best. This book is all about one thing, all things round.

My psychological perspective

This book is great to have around the home and in kindy/ prep. It teaches kids about shapes, but also you can open it up to a lot of incidental learning.

Things to talk to your children about

Shapes and colours

My Christian perspective

I love finding opportunities to get kids more curious about the world around them. After reading this book with kids, consider a hunt around the house and garden for all things with spots and are round in shape. 

You can also spend time praising God for all things round!

My overall rating

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

I really loved this little book. There is something about the beautifully coloured pictures and rhymes which really sells this book to me. It's a book to read over and over!

It's available at good retailers including Amazon.com

I was provided a copy of this book for review, but was not influenced in my opinions.

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Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013)

Book review: Kobee Manatee (2013)

Books like this excite me. I learn something new while reading with a young person, and when you learn new things together you grow together. The illustrations are stunning.

My psychological perspective

This book is pitched at older children, optimally at grade 3. The words are a bit more difficult for the younger children and they will need this read to them. 

The authors have put fast facts into the pages which gives kids something to talk to you about when you re-read this book for the nth time. 

There are also fun things to talk to your children about including

Helping others, standing up for others

My Christian perspective

It's amazing how God's creatures are so unique. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to have a chat to your children about all of God's sea creatures.

My overall rating: 

Excellent
This is a very useful resource or a decent use of time.

A great book that balances a storyline with building knowledge.

Kobee Manatee (2013) is available from Amazon in multiple formats.

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Book review: Claude at the beach (2014)

Brief Book review: Claude at the beach (2013)

My psychological perspective

I love a good picture book. This is no exception. Not quite a standard children's picture book though, with only a few shades of colour. 

Words are a bit difficult for those who haven't started school yet. I would recommend reading this with your primary school child. Yes, it's a little silly, and I laughed out loud when Claude was being creative with sticky tape. It's going to be a bit scary for some- don't want to spoil it for you but a great big SHARK makes an appearance!

Things to talk to your children about

sunsmart, safety in the water, self esteem

My Christian perspective

Going for a short beach break with the family after reading this book will really boost relationships with your children. 

Available at all good retailers including Amazon.com.

My overall rating: 

Good
This resource maybe useful and maybe a decent use of time.

 Another good little book to keep around the clinic and for parents to connect with their kids.

(Please bear with me, the next couple of reviews will be of picture books, I'm on the lookout for books for my clinic to read with some of my child clients. I have a rule, I don't EVER watch or read things with clients without having watch them first and made sure the material will be therapeutically beneficial). 

I was provided a copy of this book for review but there was not influence on my review. 

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Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek

Book review: Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) sneak peek

The ideas presented in this book are great. And I couldn't help but smile all the way through.

My psychological perspective

This book probably would make no sense to younger children, as their brains haven't developed enough to understand the concepts of savings. This is a great idea for kids who are about to get some pocket money. And is a great opportunity to teach them different ways to spread out their money.

My Christian perspective

If we view our money as God's money, but just ours for safe keeping, then it makes sense for us to be good stewards of His money. In fact, recently, we had a great discussion in Children's worship about monetary offerings. So teaching children about money and how to spend it seems like a great idea.

My overall rating: 

Superior
This is a fantastic resource or was an extremely great use of time.

For those that have read a few reviews of mine, you will find that I don't give "Superior" ratings often. I'm entirely biased because of my background in both psychology as well as business. In fact, I think I should send a copy to Kochie on Sunrise to have a look.

Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs (2014) will be available from amazon from 4 March 2014.

I was provided with a review copy but this did not influence my opinion of the book.

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