Summer Reading – Page 2

Color The Town Orange: Kubota Partners with Crayola Giving Kids Fun Ways to Dream Big

Learning Activities, Summer Reading / Valarie

Kubota Tractor Corporation and Crayola announced a partnership today to inspire the next generation of business owners, builders, farmers, do-it-yourselfers, and leaders by highlighting the unique and creative role that machines play in building and shaping communities. Kids across the country are encouraged to dream big through a myriad of national partnership activities, including experiencing an immersive, interactive […]

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Money DOES Grow on Trees | A Success Story That will Fire You Up

Summer Reading, Uncategorized / Valarie

When the AP Team was first approached to review Esra Banguoglu Ogut\’s new book, Money Does Grow on Trees, the first thought that popped into all our minds was the childhood adage that was uttered (at some point or another) by pretty close to every parent. \”Money doesn\’t grow on trees.\” Which, as we all

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Great Swedish-Inspired Fiction Thrillers for Poolside Reading

Oldies but Goodies Book Reviews, Simple Living, Summer Reading / Valarie

Long hot days, a gentle breeze, the sound of water gurgling in the fountain…balancing our hectic lives with the relaxation and pleasure of summer. Is there any better way than curling up with some great reads by the pool? Lately, my days consist of busily getting ready for my much-anticipated trip to my grandparent\’s homeland–Gotland,

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Oldies, but Goodies | Great Kidlit for Summer Reading! {PART THREE}

Book Inspired Fun, Books, Summer Reading / Valarie

As I mentioned in previous posts, sometimes, as readers and reviewers, we get so caught up in the “newest and best” releases that we forget about the goldmine of exceptional kids’ books that already exist! Great Kidlit for Summer Reading! {PART ONE} Great Kidlit for Summer Reading! {PART TWO} The following

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Happy Second Birthday to Sissy Goes Tiny!

Author Spotlight, Book Inspired Fun, Guest Bloggers, Sissy Goes Tiny, Summer Reading / Valarie

{Guest post from Sissy Goes Tiny co-author, Becky Flansburg) Happy 2nd birthday to Sissy Goes Tiny! What a wild ride it\’s been! It started as a nugget of an idea between myself and bestie, B.A. Norrgard one sunny afternoon on the patio of a small-town pub. I had been in total admiration of B.A.\’s tiny

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Did You Know? Fun Facts About Hans Christian Andersen

Book Inspired Fun, Summer Reading / Valarie

In the past, April the 2nd has been chosen to mark this day for young literature lovers because its the same date as Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday. As the author of many famous children’s stories like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, Hans Christian Andersen is a well-known name in the world of classic children\’s books. His

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A summer reading solution for reluctant readers

Book Inspired Fun, Books, Summer Reading, The ABCs of BookJumping / Valarie

Yay summer! Bring on the sun, fun, and FREEDOM! As adults, we can completely understand our youngster’s reluctance to do any sort of “school-y” things during the off-season; but we also have a responsibility to keep little minds sharp. Not long ago, the AP blog shared some great info on offering up books

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Summer Reading Tree: Forming “Roots” for Motivated Readers

A Year in The Secret Garden, Books, Nature-Based Fun, Summer Reading / Valarie

There is never a shortage of Summer Reading programs for kids once school ends and many offer prizes, points, graphs, and charts as a way to keep your child reading during the summer months. This is not a bad thing at all. But as a lifelong learner, educator, and mom I can tell you that

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A Fairly True Story about a Dragon Best Friend

Book Inspired Fun, Books, Dragons are Real, Guest Bloggers, Summer Reading / Valarie

{Guest Post by Becky Flansburg) \”His name is Norbert and he was a childhood friend of mine as I played on the rolling hills of Gotland, Sweden. What you believed about dragons being terrifying is not correct–they actually make great friends!\” Those were the exact words that popped out of author and publisher, Valarie Budayr\’s

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Happy Book-Birthday to Sissy Goes Tiny!

Author Spotlight, Guest Bloggers, Sissy Goes Tiny, Summer Reading / Valarie

(Guest post from Becky Flansburg) It was one year ago that this beautiful book rolled off the presses Bang Printing and into the hands of two grateful authors and one very excited publisher. What a journey the last 12 months has been! Some folks loved the book…some, not-so-much. But that\’s the thing. When it comes

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