Embroidered Lettering by Debra Valencia

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Nothing is funnier than the unexpected combination of a lovingly handmade embroidery piece with an irreverent (though not necessarily less heartfelt) statement. This book shows how to use a traditional craft to add a very modern message to coasters, bags, patches, pillows, tea towels, eyeglass cases and more. Innovative designer and author Debra Valencia presents 25 fun embroidery lettering projects that let you say what you REALLY mean—in stitches! Embroidered Lettering also includes an alphabet for you to use in stitching your own phrases, along with basic instructions for stitches and advice on materials and tools. Bold, snarky, amusing, or clever—these needlework ideas are anything but old-fashioned samplers.

My thoughts-

There are so many cute projects in this book that I literally want to make them all. The days of the week tea towels, the drink recipe coasters, and the bookmarks are my favorites. I like that the beginning of the book includes a lot of different stitches for beginners like me who need to practice different stitches before starting these amazing projects. It is nice to have the visual aides for that at the beginning and the advice about what kind of needles to use. I think this is a great book for a beginner as well as someone more experienced who is looking for interesting projects to do. 

Be Kind by Naomi Shulman

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own

About the book-

In a world where people spend more time engaging through screens than in real-life interaction, showing basic human kindness can feel like a lost art. Be Kind offers children aged 5 and up simple, actionable things they can do in their daily lives that help them cultivate kindness toward others and grow into people with the capacity to make the world a kinder place.

In Be Kind, kids learn that kindness is a quality that can be expressed in ways other than merely being “nice,” including standing up for someone or something, engaging in a community, showing compassion toward other beings, and expressing gratitude. With joyful illustrations and kid-friendly writing, this idea book serves as a delightful, easy-to-read collection of 100 concrete activities kids and their families can pick and choose from and act out in their daily lives, whether it’s being the first person to say good morning, offering compliments, shoveling an elderly neighbor’s driveway, learning to say hello in different languages, or sending a card to someone — no special occasion required. On every page, Be Kind empowers kids to make the world a better, kinder place, one action at a time.

My thoughts-

There is nothing in the world more important to me as a mother than that my children are kind. Be Kind is exactly the type of book I like to have around my house for my kids. They enjoy non fiction and I try to model to them to always be kind to others, and this book will take care of both of those things. There are some great ideas in here to create acts of kindness from the very simple like saying good morning or smiling at strangers, to acts of service like doing yard work for a neighbor. There are ideas in here that I wouldn't have thought of so I think it is a good book for children and adults alike. Everyone should have a copy of this awesome book in their home. You can pick up a copy this summer in June. 

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate.
But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. Featuring beloved characters from The Castaways, Beautiful Day, and A Summer Affair, The Perfect Couple proves once again that Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of the summer beach read.

My thoughts-

I will pretty much ready anything set in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, or on Cape Cod so I am a big Elin Hilderbrand fan. This book was a little different because it had the added air of suspense and mystery. I thought it was great to marry those genres to women's fiction. The book was a page turner. I definitely was interested in what happened on the Island and there were plenty of suspects that could have done it, so that kept things interesting! Mostly though, I was interested in the bride's mom's story. I know that it wasn't the main theme of the book, but I felt very drawn to her and hope to see more of her in a future book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary women's fiction. 

Harry Potter And The Stone By J.K. Rowling

Since I let his brother review a book for me yesterday, my other nine year old wanted to review one of his own. He picked his current favorite Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Here is Miles's review-

Miles' Thoughts-

I Like This Story Because It Is A Nice Story To Read. My Favorite Chapter Is Chapter 1 (The Boy Who Lived).This Is The First Out Of Seven Of Harry Potter Books There Is. To Me This My Favorite Harry Potter Book. My Last Note Is That Thank You J.K. Rowling For Creating this Book.

Maria Montessori by Isabel Sanchez Vegara; Raquel Martín

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Maria grew up in Italy at a time when girls didn't receive an equal education to boys. But Maria's mother was supportive of her dreams, and Maria went on to study medicine. She later became an early childhood expert—founding schools with her revolutionary educational theories and changing the lives of many children. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the educator's life.

My thoughts-

Little People, Big Dreams is a fantastic children's book series that features some pretty awesome people from history for our kids to look up to. I like that this book in the series highlighted Maria Montessori, one of the biggest innovators in early childhood education. The book introduces kids to Maria Montessori's life and how she came to work in the field of education. I think many kids who have a tough time in a traditional school setting sitting still and writing all day would be inspired by Montessori's story and how she thought learning should be hands on. I recommend this book to any kid. These are stories that need to be heard

Big Nate Payback Time by Lincoln Pierce

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

In this brand-new collection of the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING series Big Nate, everyone's favorite prankster takes on everything from epic snowball fights to sixth-grade crushes, with plenty of hilarious misadventures along the way.

Look out, Big Nate fans—it’s payback time!

In this brand-new collection of Big Nate comics, Nate develops a mysterious allergy to Mrs. Godfrey, wages epic snowball fights with Teddy and Francis, and even takes a nervous newbie under his wing during detention. But after a disastrous run-in with Randy in the cafetorium, our hero faces a dreaded after-school showdown on the soccer field.  Will Nate survive or get kicked around?

From wedgies and food fights to Halloween pranks and sixth-grade crushes, Big Nate: Payback Time! has got it all.

*My kids LOVE Big Nate, so I thought I would let one of them review it for us. Here are the thoughts of one of my 9 year old boys Noah-

Noah's thoughts-

I was always a fan of the Big Nate book series, so I enjoyed the book a lot. I really liked when the people said "Behold the power of Chad" at different times of the book. I also loved the good illustrations. This will be the 38th(?) book in the series. (I just googled 'Big Nate books in order', counted them all, and then I counted this book on the list [because it was not on the list yet.]. That would be the 38th book.). The last thing I want to say is "Thank you for letting us look at this book".

Springtime at Hope Springs by Annie Rains

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

When opposites attract...

As an editor at a major New York City magazine, Josie Kellum is always on the go...until an injury sidelines her in the small town of Sweetwater Springs. Luckily, her new physical therapist is easy going and easy on the eyes. When their sessions start to heat up, in more ways than one, Josie is intrigued. But she has a city and career she loves waiting for her. So why does the thought of leaving him suddenly feel a lot like leaving home? 

Tucker Locklear is just starting to move on after his wife's death. While he can't deny his attraction to the gorgeous, vivacious Josie, he won't risk the pain of losing someone again. The sooner he gets Josie back on her feet and back to her real life, the safer he'll be. But in Sweetwater Springs, love has a way of mending even the most damaged heart.

Includes the bonus short story Last Chance Bride from Hope Ramsay.

My thoughts-

Springtime at Hope Cottage is the second book in the Sweetwater Springs series. I can't put these books down. Annie Rains has perfected the art of the sweet romance novel, one of my favorite genres. I got through this book in less than 48 hours. I couldn't put it down. These romance novels set in small towns always suck me in and I wish I was living there hanging out with it's residents. I loved getting to know Josie and Tuck and getting to revisit Mitch and Kaitlyn from the first book in the series. I enjoyed watching Tuck and Josie get to know one another and learning more about Sweetwater Springs. I also enjoyed the bonus story at the end  about Tuck's sister. It definitely left me wanting more. If you love sweet contemporary romance novels, you will definitely want to read Springtime at Hope Springs (as well as Christmas on Mistletoe Lane). I will be anxiously awaiting the release of the third book!