Summer is winding down, which means kids will be heading back to school soon. And, then it will seem like the rest of 2018 will fly right by with Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Christmas creeping up on us. In addition to picking up school supplies and shopping for back-to-school clothes, why not consider adding a few new books to your shopping list to share with your children at bedtime, or as fun last minute summer reads.
Here are 11 new books from Simon & Schuster Kids worth checking out....
Synopsis:
(Part of Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks)
Adapted by: Lauren Forte
For Ages: 5 - 7
"Watch out, ’cause here they come! Simon has an important job to do in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read based on a popular episode of Bagdasarian Productions’ hit TV show, Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, airing on Nickelodeon.
Simon is thrilled when he is chosen as the school’s safety monitor. Alvin is thrilled too—he thinks he can do whatever he wants and not get in trouble. After all, Simon is his brother, and he would never tell on him, right? Simon is stuck with a difficult decision—does he give Alvin detention for fooling around in school, or does he cover for his brother? It turns out being in charge isn’t as much fun as Simon thought it would be! ALVINNN!!!"
Simon is thrilled when he is chosen as the school’s safety monitor. Alvin is thrilled too—he thinks he can do whatever he wants and not get in trouble. After all, Simon is his brother, and he would never tell on him, right? Simon is stuck with a difficult decision—does he give Alvin detention for fooling around in school, or does he cover for his brother? It turns out being in charge isn’t as much fun as Simon thought it would be! ALVINNN!!!"
My Thoughts:
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Synopsis:
(Part of Peanuts)
Adapted by: Maggie Testa / Illustrated by: Vicki Scott
For Ages: 4 - 99
"Celebrate Halloween with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this gorgeous deluxe storybook retelling of the beloved Halloween special!
It’s Halloween night, and the Peanuts gang is busy dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and bobbing for apples. Meanwhile, Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch and bring toys to all the children of the world.
It’s Halloween night, and the Peanuts gang is busy dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and bobbing for apples. Meanwhile, Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch and bring toys to all the children of the world.
Come along with Linus and the rest of the gang in this beautiful deluxe storybook with a cloth cover, lush foil stamping, and incredible illustrations! It’s the perfect read for fans of Peanuts and the classic Halloween special."
My Thoughts:
I will not bore you with a review of this book, as you have probably already read it countless times as a child or to your children. And, I have already shared a couple reviews of this book when it was previously released in paperback and hardcover. But, I did want to make you aware of this new release as it really is a wonderful storybook to pick up and share as Halloween rolls around each year. This new deluxe hardcover has a cloth cover and lush foil stamping making it a great book to display around Halloween on the coffee table. And, when you sit down to enjoy this classic Peanuts story with your family, you will all find yourselves lingering on each page, enjoying the amazing illustrations, that bring the story to life, and make you want to see the Peanuts Halloween special on television after. :-) My girls have been enjoying this book almost every day since we received a couple weeks ago, and can't wait for pumpkins in their garden to be ready so that they can pick and decorate for Halloween. In the meantime, they have this wonderful deluxe copy of everyone's favorite story, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" to enjoy.
I will not bore you with a review of this book, as you have probably already read it countless times as a child or to your children. And, I have already shared a couple reviews of this book when it was previously released in paperback and hardcover. But, I did want to make you aware of this new release as it really is a wonderful storybook to pick up and share as Halloween rolls around each year. This new deluxe hardcover has a cloth cover and lush foil stamping making it a great book to display around Halloween on the coffee table. And, when you sit down to enjoy this classic Peanuts story with your family, you will all find yourselves lingering on each page, enjoying the amazing illustrations, that bring the story to life, and make you want to see the Peanuts Halloween special on television after. :-) My girls have been enjoying this book almost every day since we received a couple weeks ago, and can't wait for pumpkins in their garden to be ready so that they can pick and decorate for Halloween. In the meantime, they have this wonderful deluxe copy of everyone's favorite story, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" to enjoy.
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Synopsis:
(Part of Peanuts)
Adapted by: Jason Cooper / Illustrated by: Robert Pope
For Ages: 3 - 7
"Celebrate Halloween with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the Peanuts gang in this all-new 8x8 storybook that comes with a sheet of festive stickers!
It’s almost Halloween and everyone is excited—even Charlie Brown! There’s a big Halloween party and costume contest, and he plans to win. But what should he go as? At first Charlie Brown doesn’t have a clue (or a costume), but once he asks Snoopy for help, everything changes for the better!"
My Thoughts:
Next to the "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!", this was my girls' next favorite Halloween book featuring everyone's beloved Peanuts friends. They especially loved how this paperback also included fun Halloween stickers, which my girls used to create their own Peanuts Halloween story, which they made up and wrote another fun Peanuts story to enjoy time and again. This new release is another great Halloween-themed book to pick up and share with your kids as you count down until Halloween.
Next to the "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!", this was my girls' next favorite Halloween book featuring everyone's beloved Peanuts friends. They especially loved how this paperback also included fun Halloween stickers, which my girls used to create their own Peanuts Halloween story, which they made up and wrote another fun Peanuts story to enjoy time and again. This new release is another great Halloween-themed book to pick up and share with your kids as you count down until Halloween.
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Synopsis:
(Part of PJ Masks)
Adapted by: Tina Gallo / Illustrated by: Jason Fruchter
For Ages: 3 - 7
"Five little Ninjalinos run into Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko on Halloween night. What’s going on? The Ninjalinos are in for a big (and fun!) surprise in this rhyming board book based on PJ Masks, the hit preschool series airing on Disney Junior!
When five Ninjalinos run into the PJ Masks on Halloween night, at first they are unsure of what is going on. The Ninjalinos and the PJ Masks are not always on the same team. Is there trouble brewing? But much to the Ninjalinos surprise, the PJ Masks are there to extend an invitation to their Halloween party. The Ninjalinos are thrilled—they’ve never been invited to a party before! It turns out to be the best Halloween ever for everyone! Written in rhyme, this adorable board book is sure to be a big hit with PJ Masks fans."
When five Ninjalinos run into the PJ Masks on Halloween night, at first they are unsure of what is going on. The Ninjalinos and the PJ Masks are not always on the same team. Is there trouble brewing? But much to the Ninjalinos surprise, the PJ Masks are there to extend an invitation to their Halloween party. The Ninjalinos are thrilled—they’ve never been invited to a party before! It turns out to be the best Halloween ever for everyone! Written in rhyme, this adorable board book is sure to be a big hit with PJ Masks fans."
My Thoughts:
If you have a PJ Masks fan in your house, then you will definitely want to pick up this new release, which would be perfect to share with your child at bedtime. The story is written in rhyme and is not only fun to read as you gear up for Halloween, but also helps introduce counting and number sequencing to little ones. My youngest daughter still loves to watch PJ Masks, and really enjoyed this board book. It was a quick read, but also a fun story that her reciting parts of the book when she was done.
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Synopsis:
(Part of PJ Masks)
Adapted by: Natalie Shaw
For Ages: 4 - 6
"The PJ Masks are blasting off on a special outer-space adventure in this Level 1 Ready-to-Read tie-in to the hit preschool series airing on Disney Junior!
Join Catboy, Gekko, and Owlette as they go into space to save the day and keep Luna Girl from capturing the harvest moon crystal!"
Join Catboy, Gekko, and Owlette as they go into space to save the day and keep Luna Girl from capturing the harvest moon crystal!"
My Thoughts:
If you have a beginner reader in your house who loves PJ Masks, then you will want to pick up this new release to share with them as it is perfect for their reading level. A Level 1 Ready to Read book, this book has easy sight words and words that beginner readers can sound out, as well as a simple plot and dialogue for them to read and comprehend. My youngest daughter enjoyed reading this book, not only because it featured her favorite PJ Masks characters, but because it tied in Outer Space, which we recently studied in homeschooling.
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Synopsis:
(Part of PJ Masks)
Adapted by: A. E. Dingee
For Ages: 3 - 7
"The PJ Masks enter blast mode on an utterly out-of-this-world mission in this shaped 8x8 storybook based on the hit Disney Jr. series!
When Luna Girl sets her sights on the harvest moon crystal, the heroes follow her all the way to the moon! But Gekko is a little nervous about what’s lurking in outer space. As Luna Girl claims the crystal and taps into strange new powers, can the heroes stay on course? And will Gekko overcome his fears in time to save his friends…and the day?"
My Thoughts:
Here is another PJ Masks story set in space, and full of fun illustrations from this hit animated preschool series. My youngest daughter has been having me read this paperback to her at bedtime, and even though she knows how the story ends, she is also with a surprised and excited look as I near the last few pages. She really enjoys this story, and I know that special PJ Masks fan in your life will, too!
When Luna Girl sets her sights on the harvest moon crystal, the heroes follow her all the way to the moon! But Gekko is a little nervous about what’s lurking in outer space. As Luna Girl claims the crystal and taps into strange new powers, can the heroes stay on course? And will Gekko overcome his fears in time to save his friends…and the day?"
My Thoughts:
Here is another PJ Masks story set in space, and full of fun illustrations from this hit animated preschool series. My youngest daughter has been having me read this paperback to her at bedtime, and even though she knows how the story ends, she is also with a surprised and excited look as I near the last few pages. She really enjoys this story, and I know that special PJ Masks fan in your life will, too!
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Synopsis:
(Part of The Adventures of Zip)
Illustrated by: David Milgrim
For Ages: 3 - 5
"Meet the unlucky magician Zip and his friends in the first of the Adventures of Zip Ready-to-Go! books from author-illustrator David Milgrim, who was awarded a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor for his Ready-to-Read, Go, Otto, Go!
This is Zip. Zip likes to zap. What will Zip zap today?
Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, See Zip Zap was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a hilarious out-of-this-world adventure featuring words they can actually read and starring a zany magician?
Each Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read includes a note to parents explaining what their child can expect, a guide at the beginning for readers to become familiar with the words they will encounter in the story, and reading comprehension questions at the end. Each Ready-to-Go! story contains no more than 100 words and features sight words, rhyming words, and repetition to help children reinforce their new reading skills. In this book, readers will learn twelve sight words, and four words from one word family. So come on and get reading!"
This is Zip. Zip likes to zap. What will Zip zap today?
Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, See Zip Zap was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a hilarious out-of-this-world adventure featuring words they can actually read and starring a zany magician?
Each Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read includes a note to parents explaining what their child can expect, a guide at the beginning for readers to become familiar with the words they will encounter in the story, and reading comprehension questions at the end. Each Ready-to-Go! story contains no more than 100 words and features sight words, rhyming words, and repetition to help children reinforce their new reading skills. In this book, readers will learn twelve sight words, and four words from one word family. So come on and get reading!"
My Thoughts:
If you follow my blog then you have probably read how I love the Ready to Read series from Simon & Schuster. My girls have learned to read and continue to build on their reading with the help of these leveled books. The series starts with a Ready to Go! series, all the way up to Level 3. This release is part of the Ready-to-Go level which includes sight words, word families, rhyming text and repetition to help beginner readers get excited about reading, and develop a lifelong long of reading. I used to love reading this level with my girls, and see them catch on to the rhyming and repetition, and jump in and finish a line in the book for me. And, the stories were always so fun, and with colorful and playful illustrations. This new release is yet another great Ready to Go book that beginner readers will love sitting down to enjoy with you, as they begin the journey of learning to read and recognize popular sight words, to add to their growing vocabulary. I highly recommend this cute book about a zany magician, that will have them asking you to read it again.
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Synopsis:
(Part of Tails from History)
Illustrated by: Rachel Sanson
For Ages: 5 - 7
"Dip a toe, paw, or fin into history with this fact-tastic Level 2 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series all about pets and the people who owned them!
When a raccoon arrives at the White House, President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace name her Rebecca and welcome her as a pet. Rebecca tries to fit in with the other animals already living there. But none of them will play with her! What will Calvin and Grace do? Discover the story of one of the most unusual White House pets in this fact-filled Level 2 Ready-to-Read."
When a raccoon arrives at the White House, President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace name her Rebecca and welcome her as a pet. Rebecca tries to fit in with the other animals already living there. But none of them will play with her! What will Calvin and Grace do? Discover the story of one of the most unusual White House pets in this fact-filled Level 2 Ready-to-Read."
My Thoughts:
My youngest daughter is a huge history buff. She has decided that she wants to be a history teacher when she grows up, so that she can share with kids all the fascinating things she has learned about people and events in history. So, when she saw this book, she couldn't wait to read it, as she noticed it was about the White House where the President lives, and raccoons, which she also loves.
This is a true story about a raccoon President Calvin Coolidge and his wife had when they were living in the White House. You are probably scratching your head and wondering why they would choose a raccoon as a pet...my girls were wondering this, too. But, then as they started to read this book, they found themselves wishing they had a raccoon as a pet, as it sounded like a lot of fun.
Not only was the story cute, but at the end of the book, kids will learn fun facts about raccoons and the White House.
My youngest daughter is a huge history buff. She has decided that she wants to be a history teacher when she grows up, so that she can share with kids all the fascinating things she has learned about people and events in history. So, when she saw this book, she couldn't wait to read it, as she noticed it was about the White House where the President lives, and raccoons, which she also loves.
This is a true story about a raccoon President Calvin Coolidge and his wife had when they were living in the White House. You are probably scratching your head and wondering why they would choose a raccoon as a pet...my girls were wondering this, too. But, then as they started to read this book, they found themselves wishing they had a raccoon as a pet, as it sounded like a lot of fun.
Not only was the story cute, but at the end of the book, kids will learn fun facts about raccoons and the White House.
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(Part of Tails from History)
Illustrated by: Rachel Sanson
For Ages: 5 - 7
Synopsis:
"Dip a toe, paw, or fin into history with this fact-tastic Level 2 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series all about pets and the people who owned them!
The legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo had many pets. Among them was a little parrot by the name of Bonito, the Spanish word for “beautiful.” Frida painted her monkeys, her dogs, and her deer, but when would she be ready to paint Bonito? Discover the story of Bonito and Frida Kahlo in this fact-filled Level 2 Ready-to-Read."
The legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo had many pets. Among them was a little parrot by the name of Bonito, the Spanish word for “beautiful.” Frida painted her monkeys, her dogs, and her deer, but when would she be ready to paint Bonito? Discover the story of Bonito and Frida Kahlo in this fact-filled Level 2 Ready-to-Read."
My Thoughts:
This is another book in the new "Tails from History" series, which will introduce young readers to Frida and her pet parrot. My youngest daughter, Bella, loves Frida and was excited to have a book to read about this wonderful woman painter. Bella learned all about the different pets that Frida owned and painted, including her parrot, Bonito. And, just like with the previous "Tails from History" book, at the end of this story, children will get to enjoy fun facts about Amazon Parrots and more about Frida Kahlo.
Being such a huge Frida fan, this has become an instant favorite of my daughter's, and she continues to read this book over and over again, and will even bring it on car rides to enjoy, and to share with family and friends who come to visit. If you have a history buff in your house, like my daughter, then why not pick up this Ready to Read Level Two book and introduce them to Frida Kahlo today? :-)
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(Part of Secrets of American History)
Illustrated by: Valerio Fabbretti
For Ages: 6 - 8
Synopsis:
"Discover the thrilling side of the history of the space race in this fact-tastic, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a series about the secrets of American History!
Did you know that you can’t bring a sandwich on a spaceship? Or that a group of people who had lost their hearing played an important role in the race to send astronauts to the moon? Find out about those true stories and more in this book about the space race of the 1950s and 1960s.
Did you know that you can’t bring a sandwich on a spaceship? Or that a group of people who had lost their hearing played an important role in the race to send astronauts to the moon? Find out about those true stories and more in this book about the space race of the 1950s and 1960s.
Secrets of American History is an action-packed nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read series that lets beginning readers in on a little secret: history is full of surprises! Want to know what invisible ink has to do with the American Revolution? Or why shark repellent and inflatable army tanks were used in World War II? Find out in this fact-filled series of fascinating true tales, wild adventures, and spy missions, and discover the secret side of American history!"
My Thoughts:
I love picking up new releases in the popular "Secrets of American History" series to share with my girls as part our homeschooling. The books are set up as chapter books and contains a handful of stories about a particular subject in history. This new release is all about Space Age, and includes stories about the Space Race, secret satellites, the Galludet Eleven, and even about foods (and Farts!) in Space. The last chapter about the food and farts made my girls giggle, as they learned about what foods you can't bring to Space and what happens when you fart.
All the stories in this book and the popular series are true, and are fun for kids to read as they learn about fun facts and secrets in American history.
All the stories in this book and the popular series are true, and are fun for kids to read as they learn about fun facts and secrets in American history.
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Illustrated by: Betsy Lewin
For Ages: 4 - 8
Synopsis:
"They can stand in line (sort of), use indoor voices (perhaps), and are capable of sharing (rumor has it), so the Click Clack critters are ready for school…but is school ready for them? A charming addition to the award-winning Click, Clack series from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott winning team who brought you Click, Clack, Moo and Click, Clack, Surprise!
Farmer Brown has been invited to be a guest at the elementary school’s Farm Day! The animals excitedly practice their best classroom behavior: standing quietly in line, using their inside voices, and learning how to share. But then they find out that farm animals aren’t actually allowed in school (who knew they were considered a health code violation?!). Rules are rules, so Farmer Brown goes to school solo—or so he thinks…for while our favorite barnyard bunch don’t get high marks in rules, they do excel in disguise."
Farmer Brown has been invited to be a guest at the elementary school’s Farm Day! The animals excitedly practice their best classroom behavior: standing quietly in line, using their inside voices, and learning how to share. But then they find out that farm animals aren’t actually allowed in school (who knew they were considered a health code violation?!). Rules are rules, so Farmer Brown goes to school solo—or so he thinks…for while our favorite barnyard bunch don’t get high marks in rules, they do excel in disguise."
My Thoughts:
My youngest daughter, Bella, loves Doreen Cronin and her Click Clack/Farmer Brown books. So, when she saw that they came out with a new one made especially for back to school, she couldn't wait to read it to me. The story has all your favorite animals that live on Farmer Brown's farm, including Duck. Farmer Brown got an invitation from a nearby school inviting him and all the animals to Farm Day at the school. Everyone was so excited, until Farmer Brown gave them a rule book and told them they had to be on their best behavior and couldn't moo, oink, clack, etc. How could this be fun the animals thought. But, they wanted to please Farmer Brown so they read up on how to behave the night before Farm Day and the next day they were quiet as could be...that was until they arrived at school and the recess bell rang. What do you think happen? The kids came out running and yelling like kids at recess do, and the animals saw this. Did the animals remain calm like Farmer Brown told them? Nope, they joined in mooing, clacking, oinking and moving all about, having fun with the kids at school. Well, everyone was making noise except for Duck who was inside the school building pretending to be the principal and being quiet and calm.
Bella really enjoyed this book, and said the repetition of some of the text is great for early readers. She remembers reading these books by Doreen Cronin when she was learning to read, and loved the repetition. I have lost count of how times she has read this book since receiving the other day. And, Bella has already found a spot next to her other Click, Clack books on her bookshelf in her room.
If you have a Doreen Cronin or Farmer Brown fan in your life, this new school-themed would be a great back to school book to pick up and share with your little one at bedtime, as they get ready for a fun (and not so quiet) day at school.
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The books mentioned above are just a sampling of the new/recent releases from Simon & Schuster, that would be perfect for back to school bedtime reader, and to gear up for fall and Halloween. We just went to a nearby shopping plaza the other day and saw the Halloween store getting ready to open. I guess now Back to School and Halloween shopping fall in August/early Sept.
To learn more about these and all the wonderful books available for kids of all ages and reading abilities from Simon & Schuster, head on over to http://www.simonandschuster.com/ today.
Happy reading!
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