z Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
I love when there are special sales on books, as it lets me save $$ on books I was already planning on buying....enough to get maybe a drink from the local coffee shop, or maybe another book that catches my eye. And, when I find book deals online I find myself stocking up on books for the winter and to gift at the holidays. So, you can imagine how excited I was to visit the Chronicle Books website yesterday and saw they were offering 35% off books and gifts from their website. I had a list of books, puzzles and games I wanted to grab my girls and family, and this unexpected savings made for a more fun shopping experience, as I was able to get all the items on my list, as well as others as I knew they were discounted. Who doesn't love a new book at the holidays. I, for one, am excited for the few cookbooks I ordered from Chronicle Books, and know my girls will be even more excited when the they see the puzzles I found for us to do this winter, as well as the stacks of new books I scored at a discounted price. This 35% is only a limited time, and if you order by Dec. 5th, they guarantee delivery by the holidays.
Here are just a handful of recent releases from Chronicle Books my girls have been enjoying this month, including two pop up books, a graphic novel and two middle-grade novels/chapter books. And, there are more books, cookbooks, games and puzzles and more worth checking out at https://www.chroniclebooks.com/.
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This is the third book in the "Astro-Nuts" book series, and so far my girls' favorite book in the series. They were first introduced to this outer space adventure series from a friend who received the first two books as a birthday gift. She is big into Outer Space and the Galaxy like my girls, and once they saw the book, they knew they had to read the books. We found the first two books at our library and took them out. And, then the kind folks at Chronicle Books sent this third installment, which released back in Sept. for them to enjoy. They read this new book in an hour's time, and then went back in to admire all the full color illustrations.
When they were done, they came to tell me about the book, the story line and all the interesting facts they learned along the way. I could hear the excitement in my girls' voices as they described their favorite parts, and then showed me the cool illustrations -- unlike other books they read. I could see why this series has become popular among fans of "The Bad Guys," as it has a similar feel. Reluctant readers will really find themselves getting hooked on these books as there aren't a lot of words to read on each, and the full-color illustrations alone will draw them in. My girls can't wait for the 4th and even more books to release in the "AstroNuts" series, but in the meantime are enjoying this third book again and again.
More about this book:
"This series is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets The Bad Guys in a funny, visually daring adventure series for reluctant readers, teachers, and librarians alike.
This hilarious, visually groundbreaking read is the conclusion to a major series by children's literature legend Jon Scieszka.
The book follows a final mission, where AlphaWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug must find a planet fit for human life after we've finally made Earth unlivable.
Time is up for our friends the AstroNuts. In fact, time is up for you, too. If they don't succeed on this mission, Earth is doomed! So when the team finds out they're being sent to a place called "the perfect planet," their mission sounds way too easy. Unfortunately, the second they land, they realize they'll be dealing with the most dangerous species of all time . . . humans. Huh? Where in the universe is this supposedly perfect place? And how will the Nuts manage to convince the humans to risk death . . . for the sake of their lives?!
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This is another book in a series, that is definitely worth checking out for the middle-grade crowd. As you can see from the cover art of this book, it will remind readers of Minecraft. And, when they start reading there are fun visuals and illustrations inside the book that give it a video game and online chat feel. My girls really liked this layout of the book, as well as how it was written in verse. The characters really are funny and authentic and made them relatable. My oldest talked to me afterwards about the themes she picked up on while reading, which included navigating difficult and changing friendships, family, loss, and finding and loving yourself and your own identity.
Middle grade readers will really enjoy this book, and will find themselves to relating to making new friends, losing old friends and just growing up and finding yourself. I ended up reading this book after my girls, and really enjoyed it. After I was done, I ended up picking up the first book so that we could it together, and that way we could start a collection of these books from K.A. Kolt.
The first was just as good as this book. And, my girls can't wait for books from this author.
More about this book:
"George meets Ms. Bixby's Last Day in this inspiring, heartfelt novel-in-verse, the second in a new series from bestselling author K.A. Holt.
This second book in a new series by K.A. Holt will appeal to fans of House Arrest, Rhyme Schemer, and Knockout, in addition to fans of Jason Reynolds's Track series.
Ben Y's just about had it with school. Every corner she turns, she’s being called "Benita," getting Dress Coded by Mr. Mann for some supposedly inappropriate item of clothing, or running into the ineffable, inescapable, indefinable Ace—who makes her feel weird, weirdly seen, and strangely at peace, all at once. Even her best buds—Ben B, Jordan J, and Javier; the kids under the stairs—are all far too content following the rules and making their school newspaper under the attentive direction of their beloved teacher, Ms. J.
And home's no better. Last year, Ben Y's older brother died, and the family is still learning how to cope—if by coping you mean coming home to cry at lunch, or secretly building a friendship bracelet empire, or obsessively visiting a chatroom to talk to Benito's ghost. When Benito suddenly starts typing back, Ben Y must act. But what happens when those very actions make Ben Y's deepest secrets impossible to hide?
Readers will easily identify with the variety of funny, authentic lovable characters—not to mention the emphasis on a Minecraft-like game and fun visuals like online chats and doodles. Parents, kids, educators and librarians alike will love the way the book celebrates all the different ways to be smart—and recognizes all the different ways it's hard to be a kid.
With a lovable cast of characters and raw, authentic emotion, this heartwarming, laugh-out-loud novel-in-verse tells an honest story about friendship, family, and personal identity that celebrates different types of intelligence and shows how every kid deserves to become their own "divergent" self."
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This is another great book for middle-grade readers, as they will find themselves relating to the story and characters. In this book, readers will pick up on the themes of self-acceptance, friendship, family, and growing up. Both of my girls read this, and said they found the book to be really moving. It is all about the drama and ups and downs you go through in middle school, and how friendships and believing in yourself will help you cope and get through even the most trying times of adolescence, including family issues at home.
My girls couldn't put this book down, and ended up reading it cover to cover. And, when they were done, they had me read it, before they passed it around to their friends so that they could enjoy it, too. This book is perfect for tweens, fans of fantasty and unicorns, and those that like to find relatable characters to help them navigate growing up and surviving middle school and beyond.
More about this book:
"Magic, adventure, and friendship collide in warm and funny novel about the power of self-acceptance to change the world.
(Okay, and one other thing, but it’s just too weird to mention here!)
Jewel tries to stay invisible at school, looking forward to the day when she can finally leave her small town behind, making art with her fellow weirdos, and obsessively reading graphic novels with her best friends. But when she’s selected to represent her school at the regional French speaking competition, she decides she’s had enough of the shy life. The horn needs to come off.
What happens when you have the ability to become the girl you’ve always wanted to be? When you don’t know your true self, how do you know your true friends? What happens when everything in your life—your biggest struggle, your greatest joy, and your dearest friends—all combine in one calamitous adventure?
With a sparkle of magic, a treasure trove of true determination, and help from all her friends both real and invisible, Jewel just might survive this year with her heart—and her head—intact."
Each star you see
on Christmas Eve
is a wish that's come true
for those who believe.
So many millions
of wishes come true!
Here are a handful
that I wish for you...
From the bestselling creators of Happiness Is . . . comes a touching celebration of the holiday spirit, from spreading Christmas cheer to spending sweet moments together with the ones you love. Featuring an affirming rhyming text and charming illustrations with bright pops of Pantone colors, this merry and bright celebration of the holiday season makes a wonderful gift, reminding readers of what Christmas is truly about: togetherness, the spirit of giving, and spreading goodwill with heaps of heart."
From vehicles that travel on city streets and highways to those that explore outer space, the latest title in the Pop-Up Guide™ series brings to life dramatic settings that capture children’s imagination and encourage them to find out more. Each book also includes elastic bands that allow readers to display their favorite pages."
Disclosure: I was sent review copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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