While I love doing toy reviews, I think children book reviews top my list. There is something special about children books. Perhaps it is because my oldest son absolutely love books or it is the way kids seem to get lost in their imaginary world while reading or listening to a story. More importantly, it provides kids with a great opportunity to connect with and spend quality time with loved ones. Call me crazy, but I also happen to love the feel and smell of hard-covered children’s books. I honestly can’t stop flipping through the books.
I was excited to receive an opportunity to review children books from Raincoast Books, a Canadian-owned book wholesale and distribution company based in Vancouver, BC. I received six books which I gave to my son for the holidays. The books are easily one of his favourite gifts. Below is a quick synopsis and review of the books.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld)
A perfect book for the construction lover in your life. The book’s beautiful illustrations and writing take you from day to night following the busy workday of trucks on a construction site. The book provides a great way for your little one (and their parents) to learn the names of various construction vehicles and the tasks that they are responsible for on the site. From the crane to the cement mixer to the dump truck. The book teaches us that just as kids must turn in at the end of an active day, so must trucks after a busy day of work. (Recommended for ages 4-8).
Steam Train, Dream Train (Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld)
Written by the creators of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, the book follows a similar theme except this time, it is about a train and its animal workers. It’s both fun, silly and educational. The story teaches us what the various train carts are used for, like storing toys, paint, balls and sand, of course! While you read, your child’s imagination can run lose following along with the beautiful illustrations. This will be a sure hit if your little one is a train lover. (Recommended for ages 3-5).
I Scream Ice Cream! (Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Serge Bloch)
I think I enjoyed this book a little more than my son. While it’s intended for children ages 5 and up, it is a fun read for adults too. I Scream Ice Cream is a book of wordles, a group of words that sound the same but have different meanings. I can’t decide which one I like more; the wordles or the illustrations that accompany each phrase. A few of my favourites include: “Sorry, no more funnel cakes.” AND “Sorry, no more fun…elk aches”. The best part is that you have to try to guess what the second corresponding wordle is before you turn the page. The book turns into a fun game that is sure to draw giggles and smiles. Keep this book on the living room shelf, it is a crowd pleaser.
If you want to see a whale (Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead)
This is a wonderful story following a young boy and his dog who are in search of a whale. As the title suggests, if you want to see a whale, you need patience and you can’t day-dream. Waiting is hard, but the rewards are worth it because guess what? You get to see a whale! The words are simple and fun and the book is beautifully illustrated. (Recommended for ages 2-6).
The Snatchabook (Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty)
Most kids would agree that bed-time routines aren’t complete without reading a book or two before getting tucked in for the night. But what if everyone’s books started to disappear? That’s when Eliza Brown decided to take matters into her own hands and figure out the mystery of the disappearing books. To her surprise, the creature behind this crime was a little Snatchabook. So, what did she do? You’ll have to read the book to find out! The Snatchabook is a cute story about making amends, forgiveness, and children’s love of reading. (Recommended for ages 3 and up).
Which way back? (Michael Mayes and Rory O’Sullivan)
This book is based on Luna, Chip and Inkie, the characters featured in BC’s Knowledge Network. The friends who live in the wilderness got lost one day when they tried to follow a big beautiful butterfly. While they were scared, they worked together as a team, relying on each of their strengths, to figure out a way to get back home safely and before dark. Luckily, they had each other to rely on at times of need showing once again the strength of good friends. The story’s words are brought to life with the bright and colorful modern illustrations. (Recommended for ages 3-6).
If your family loves books as much as mine does, you’ll want to enter this giveaway! Raincoast Books is giving one lucky Mayahood reader a chance to win these six books valued at $108. Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter below (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest is open to residents of Canada. Contest ends Thursday December 19, 2013. Good-luck!
3 of my kids would love these books. I think my 3 year old would most like the ice cream book, my 5 year old would most like the train book and my 6 year old would most like the construction book 🙂 Thanks for the chance!!
Which way back?
which way back
The Snatchabook is likely the one my girls would enjoy most.
My daughter would love Goodnight, goodnight, construction site. She loves big machines!
Jake would love the construction book!!
I think my daughters would like The Snatchabook the most
Jayden would love Steam Train, Dream Train, he’s a huge train fan.
If you want to see a whale
Goodnight goodnight construction site would be my sons favourite. Thanks for the great reviews and giveaway.
My grandson would enjoy Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
The Snatchabook for my 2 girls!
I think my son would really enjoy ‘If you want to see a whale’
My daughters would love the I Scream Ice Cream! book
thanks
Stream train, dream train probably for my son
I think she would like The Snatchabook
I am planning to get Goodnight, Goodnight construction site for my boys for Christmas, so I’m excited about this give away!
I think the I Scream Ice Cream since they love yelling that anyway.
pam w h
She’d enjoy The Snatchabook the best.
Definitely I Scream Ice Cream!
Good Night Construction Site! My son loves all things construction!
I think it would be I Scream Ice Cream!
My son would love good night, good night construction site.
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win these Children Books for my nieces and nephew.
In response to your question of Based on the 6 books I reviewed, which one do you think your child (or grandchild) will enjoy the most?
I think my nieces and nephew would like
The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty and Thomas Docherty the most.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!
Snatchabook – our daughter absolutely loves books and reading, and her bedtime routine isn’t complete without her 3 books. She would love this one, and all the rest too! Thanks for the review, I am always overwhelmed by the options out there!
I think my son would like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.
My son would love If you want to see a whale. He loves looking for things.
I think she would like Steam Train.
I Scream Ice Cream!
Who that’s a toss up between the train and the construction one…. both are tops with my tot. I think they would be tied for most awesome!
I think the Snatchabook would capture their imagination
My kids would like I Scream Ice Cream! the best. Anything to do with sugar and they go nuts haha
My girls would love the I Scream Ice Cream! book
I think that my kids would like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
Steam Train, Dream Train. Both of my kids love trains!
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site
I think my grandson would like the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
I think he would prefer the “Ice cream, you scream” 🙂
All of my kids would enjoy Steam Train, Dream Train
A special little girl I know would love Snatchabook.
Steam Train, Dream Train would be enjoyed most, I think.
If you want to see a whale.
Snatchabook 🙂 sounds adorable, Thank you for the chance
I think Which way back?
which way back is so neat!
My kids and I also love books, they get even more fun when your kids can read (the words and not only pictures) them on their own or to eachother! I think they would most enjoy I Scream, Ice Cream.
The Snatchabook is the one my niece would love.
which way back for sure
steam train, dream train, my grandson luvs trains! they are all amazing, thank you!
I Scream Ice Cream! is something my 5 yr old granddaughter would like
I Scream Ice Cream, because I worked at DQ for 11 years of my life!
which way back
If you want to see a whale! She’s very interested in the ocean and animals.
WHICH WAY BACK! My little munchkin loves maps and stuff like that 🙂
If you want to see a whale sounds like a fun book!
I adore Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. My little guy loves that book! I’d love to read the Steam Train, Dream Train – looks awesome!
My son would love Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.
I think my son would enjoy Goodnight, Goodnight Construction site the most.
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site is a really sweet book that I know my son would love!
if you want to see a whale
They all sound good but I think The Snatchabook would be a hit!
My Granddaughter would enjoy I scream ice cream
My munchkin loves trains right now- My answer has to be “Steam Train, Dream Train”!
It would be a toss up between Steam Train Dream Train and Goodnight Construction Site.
Which way back
if you want to see a whale
Steam Train, Dream Train!
The snatchabook
My grandsons love trains so, Steam Train, Dream Train would be a big hit!
My daughter would love steam train dream train.
I’m due on Jan 12th with my second child a BOY! We are so excited! I would love any of these books but my favourite is If you want to see a whale.
We check out Steam Train Dream Train at the library every couple of weeks an my son makes me read it 2-3 time a day he LOVES that book!
The snatchabook looks like one my kids would love but all 4 are so different so no telling really.
I think my grandson would like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.
I think that my kids would love The Snatchabook the most
I think my daughter would like The Snatchabook
our children would love the book I Scream Ice Cream!
I think my granddaughter would enjoy “Which Way Back”
Good night good night construction site
I think my granddaughter would love the I Scream Ice Cream book. Thanks.