Tag Archives: elementary school

August 3, 2026 · 7:00 am

One Weird Wednesday by Amanda Schaumburg (Book Review)

Willow woke up on Wednesday morning expecting an ordinary day, but everything quickly got WEIRD! Willow’s house has turned wacky with unexpected surprises around every corner. Each room brings something stranger than the last, and Willow can’t figure out what’s going on. Is she dreaming? Has her world gone bonkers? Join Willow on this hilarious, whimsical adventure as she tries to make sense of the wildest Wednesday ever! Perfect for young readers who love funny and imaginative stories, One Weird Wednesday will leave you giggling and guessing until the very end.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Willow finds Wednesdays utterly boring. “The fun-filled weekend seemed like a distant memory and the next one seemed too far away.” But today, when Willow woke up, Wednesday was anything but boring. Today, Willow was about to experience the strange, the unexpected, and 100% wackiness, and kids are going to love every minute of it!

Willow does not know what to expect when she goes about her normal Wednesday routine. Catching her mom cooking spaghetti and meatballs in the bathtub was definitely not on the list. Neither was her brother taking a shower in her closet. Follow Willow into the kitchen, where the clanking noises were not caused by pots or pans hitting together. Step into the living room to see what Grandma is doing. Hint, she wasn’t taking a nap or watching soap operas.

The funny surprises do not end inside the home. Wait until you see what Willow’s sister and her grandpa are up to. Actually, of all the unexpected scenes, Grandpa’s shenanigans are my favorite! Read the story and select your favorite wacky scene! Ah, the illustrated scenes. They were absolutely brilliant. “Splat,” written in red sauce, added more humor to an already humorous scene. Gus, the dog, and Grandpa made me smile. They were obviously having the time of their lives as they boing, boing, boing the day away. Willow was also cute with her mountain of wavy hair and big purple glasses. I love the polka-dotted pajamas, too!

Though I wanted to give the story five stars, I had to ding it for the placement of some text. A few times, the background overpowered the text blocks. Other than that, I didn’t see anything that needed fixing.

One Weird Wednesday is the perfect book to read any day of the week, but especially on Wednesday if your day is drab instead of fab. I recommend the book for children aged 2-9. I also recommend doing something silly, but maybe not the antics the family was doing.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Meet the Author

Amanda Schaumburg is a children’s book author, educational resource author, and pediatric speech language pathologist. She has a passion for writing children’s books that spark imagination and promote literacy and communication. Amanda has worked in education since 2009.

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May 25, 2026 · 7:00 am

Get Through This Book by Brett Rumfelt (Book Spotlight)

A sweet, fun-filled debut for fans of Oliver Jeffers, BJ Novak, and Jon Klassen about perseverance and the joy of reading. Recently awarded a Readers’ Favorite 5-star review!

Some books just seem boring.

But then once you get into a good one, all kinds of things can happen. However, there is really only one way to get through a book.

Help our green friend as he tries and tries to get through this book until he finally figures out the correct way to do it. A lively and interactive read-aloud, Get Through This Book will fill kids with delight in the enjoyment that reading can bring. And they may just want to read it again, and again, and…

Perfect for bedtime, classroom, car rides, the beach, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and pretty much everywhere anytime, Get Through This Book is available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and coloring book versions.

“Readers who enjoy humorous read-aloud stories, interactive picture books, and self-aware storytelling will find plenty to enjoy in Brett Rumfelt’s creative work. It’s an excellent resource for elementary teachers to inspire young students to read.”
– Readers’ Favorite

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Meet the Author

 

Brett Rumfelt is a dad from the Atlanta area who used to create original picture books just for his own kids, to make reading more interactive and fun for them. But now that they’re messy teenagers and into bigger books, he’s sharing those picture books with you. Learn more at brettrumfelt.com

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May 18, 2026 · 7:00 am

Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist by Carlie Guerrier (Book Review)

Mama Sheep has her checklist ready for the family’s first big cruise!

She’s packed, planned, and prepared for everything… or so she thinks.

With three playful lambs, a helpful Daddy Sheep, and plenty of bags to carry, things don’t go quite as planned.

A funny, lighthearted story about family, teamwork, and learning to laugh when things go a little off course.

Perfect for ages 3-7!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Family vacation prep can be stressful. There’s finding a pet and/or house sitter, packing, getting to your departure place on time, and remembering your identification and tickets. Mama Sheep has the fix to ensure everything goes off smoothly and nothing is forgotten; she’s created “The Big Cruise Day Checklist.” Mama Sheep methodically goes through the list with her family, making sure nothing is overlooked. Pack something special. Check, even though one child’s choice was a risky item for a ship! Put the suitcases in the taxi. Check! Deliver the pet and plants to the sitters. Check and check! Make sure you have the tickets! Check! Mama Sheep checks the list more than once, and everything seems to be in order. Now, it’s smooth sailing from here, right? Wrong!

No matter how well families prepare for a vacation, there’s always that one thing they forget. Maybe even a multiple of things! Ask your kid(s) to guess what they think the sheep family forgot before the story’s big unveiling. Teachers, also ask your class to share if they or their family ever forgot something for a trip. Mama Sheep took the missing vacation item(s) rather well, but it prompted her to add a new item to her vacation checklist: a very important item no one wants to overlook! (No spoilers!)

Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist was a fun read. Kids will enjoy watching the Sheep family prepare for a cruise. Parents and Educators will love that the story offers opportunities for group discussions and is also pleasing to the eye. The various animals in human clothing were cute, and so were the sheep’s heart-shaped noses. Kids as young as 2 will love the illustrations, but 3- to 7-year-olds will be more inclined to guess what was left behind and share their own vacation mishap memories. I encourage you to read Mama Sheep and the Big Cruise Day Checklist and Mama Sheep and the Mysterious Cup!

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Meet the Author

Since her teenage years, Carlie Guerrier has had a deep passion for writing, finding both joy and comfort in storytelling. When she’s not bringing stories to life, she loves cooking delicious meals for her family and enjoying quality time together.

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May 15, 2026 · 7:00 am

Me and My long, Long Hair by Pria Dee (Book Review)

When Sita moves to a new school, her hair is the first thing everyone notices—long, shiny, and impossible to ignore. At first, being different feels awkward. But with a little encouragement from her mom, Sita learns to see her hair as something to celebrate. Then she hears a heartbreaking story about a child with cancer, and a spark of kindness turns her self-consciousness into courage. Could her long hair become a gift that changes someone’s life?

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Sita Reddy and her family have relocated from Chennai, India, to America. Being the new student in class comes with its challenges. The stares. The whispers. Sita really wants to fit in at her new school, but the unwelcome attention to her long, black hair is making her feel self-conscious. Sita decides to hide in the shadows, keeping to herself, but she must come into the light eventually, and that’s when this story starts tugging on heartstrings. 

Misunderstandings can stem from many reasons. For Sita, it stemmed from a classmate who kept staring at her very long hair. She thought he had an issue with it but soon discovered the real reason behind his stares. Chris’s sister has cancer, and he would love to grow his hair out to make a wig for his sister. Unfortunately, his hair is not growing fast enough. His stare was in wonderment; how did Sita grow her hair so long? The sweet gesture and the sadness in Chris’s eyes were touching. Sita’s plan to cut and donate her hair to a cancer charity was also very moving. 

Me and My Long, Long Hair is a sweet, heartfelt story that shows how one’s act of kindness can bring sunshine to another’s dreary day. Though Sita is right, “hair is just hair,” but to those who have lost it due to chemo, a wig brings them joy. It offers them a reason to smile. To hope. 

Sita’s act of kindness did not stop with donating her hair; she rallied her classmates to create a fundraiser to raise awareness about kids with cancer. Hair or money, a little bit goes a long way! 

I highly recommend reading this heartwarming story with your family or class. I also recommend reading and completing (at least) one option from “Ways to Help.” Let’s eradicate cancer and support cancer patients and their families!

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Meet the Author

Award-winning author Pria Dee believes that it’s important for children to learn about the wonderful differences in other cultures, as well as how hard life can be. In her new children’s picture book Little Moe Can’t Fly, she depicts the struggles of a little gosling who is a late bloomer face. The story of a gosling from hatching to migration also deals with the emotional distress that is experienced by children when they feel they are “slow” to learn. In this poignant story, Dee describes how maternal love can support a little one through these insecurities.

Pria has an active imagination and often weaves her stories around ideas that pop into her head, spurred by current events, personal observations, and her imagination. She thinks a wonderful children’s story shows empathy and involves relatable characters. She hopes her young readers come away from her books with a glimpse of another’s life and learn both the similarities and differences in their own lives.

When she isn’t writing thoughtful and enlightening stories to children, Pria enjoys reading, walking, painting, drawing, and listening to music. She also appreciates spending time in nature, often with her dog, and draws inspiration from it. She is also the published author of an adult novel under a different pen name.

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May 8, 2026 · 7:00 am

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery by Phyllis Schwartz (Book Review)

Fifth grade poet Yoshi and her two curious critters, Laggie and Grillo are back!

Something mysterious washes up on their hometown beach in the beautiful surf town of Encinitas, California.

“Mommy and Laggie and Grillo and me,
trying to find our beloved sea glass by the sea.

Blue and green and turquoise and gold—
it’s a mystery tale that’s never been told.”

There are lots of twists and turns as they try to answer the question: Is it sea glass or a real gem?

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(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 


Yoshi and her two critter companions are back; this time, they are putting their detective hats on to solve a mystery of who the sea glass belongs to. Pirate? Explorer? Sailor in love or thief? Wager a guess and then read the story to discover who the owner of the heart-shaped sea glass is. 


Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a cute detective story, with many positive qualities. The story demonstrates the power of teamwork and determination. It also shows that help comes in all forms and from the unlikeliest characters, as was the case with the lizard and the cricket. In addition, the story incorporates interesting facts about the beach town of Encinitas, California, the story’s setting. Read the story to discover who wrote a VERY popular song about the wonderful waves at Swami’s Beach. Read the story to discover how to say, “small lizard” and “cricket” in Spanish and what Yoshi’s cat’s name, Ketzeleh, means in Yiddish. The book also features pages dedicated to the five jewels mentioned in the story and the Sea Glass Cookie recipe. If that wasn’t all, the author included a tune sung to an old sea shanty “Sailing, Sailing.” If you are like me and don’t know the old tune, I would advise looking it up so your family or class can sing “Laggie and Grillo’s Detective Victory Song” to the right beat.

Laggie and Grillo: The Sea Glass Mystery is a book worth reading time and time again. It’s interactive, educational, and visually very cute. Just wait until you see pirate Grillo! ADORABLE!! 

I recommend this book for readers ages 4-8! I also recommend reading the author’s other creations. Oh, I 100% recommend baking up a batch of the Sea Glass Cookies! Yuuuuummmmm! 


Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤️❤️❤️❤️1/2

(It will be rounded to 5 on Amazon and Goodreads.)

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Meet the Author

Phyllis Schwartz is a married mother of two, who, after a highly successful career in the TV news business, finally has the time to indulge in and focus on her “civilian” writing. Even as a kid, she kept a diary and wrote little stories and poems, a creative release that continued well into adulthood. She wrote news by day and poetry by night. And despite battling three different types of cancer over more than three decades, she is still filled with energy, joy, and optimism, and she looks forward to writing much more poetry and children’s books in the future. Her writing often centers on what she observes daily: including her friends, husband, and two children, as well as her garden and her beautiful beach town residence in dreamy Encinitas, all providing continued inspiration for her verse.

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FB/Insta: phyllischwartz_author

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