Today’s post is coming to you live from the breakfast table. We get many books to read and review and the really successful ones, the books that become favorites, are those that get the “The Breakfast Table Book Club” approval!
This is how is works, I have stacks of books everywhere in this house. Often times there are a few books that have recently come in that just sit on the kitchen table. As the family wanders in for breakfast each morning, they’ll grab a book to read while eating their cereal. I always know a popular read when they ask where the book has gone once I move it to the review crates. “When is it coming back?” they ask.
Today I bring you two such titles that have tried to leave the breakfast table but have been a constant companion since they’ve arrived.
The first book is so appropriate for THIS year of all years because it’s an election year. 50 Things You Should Know About American Presidents published by the QEB publishing.
Everything you should know about US presidents is broken down into 50 bite-sized chunks. Every president is covered, from the first person to take office George Washington, to our current US president, Barack Obama. Fascinating facts are included on each page, for example, did you know that Franklin D. Roosevelt is the longest serving president ? There are also details about the US political system, clearly stating the changes that have occurred from the 17th century until today.
This is a very colorful book and perfect for reluctant readers. I say this because reluctant readers love little snippets of information as opposed to chapter books. This book is well suited for ages 8 to 12. It has become a greatly loved edition on our breakfast table.
Our second Breakfast Book Club selection is 50 Things You Should Know About Wild Weather by QEB Publishing. Who doesn’t love wild weather. My children are obsessed with it so you can imagine that a fun book on the breakfast table about wild weather would be very welcomed.
Rain or Shine- the weather impacts everything we do. Packed with facts, diagrams, infographics and photos, 50 Things You Should Know About Wild Weather takes you on a whirlwind of discovery. Covering the earth’s atmosphere and how weather works, you’ll find out all you need to know about weather fronts, heat waves, hurricanes, avalanches, ice storms, climate change and our favorite topic, tornados and much, much, more. Filled with facts, figures and world records for the wildest weather ever documented, you’ll also discover storm chasers and weather scientists who have tried their best to keep the weather in check. Be warned, it’s a stormy ride.
Wild Weather is in full color and grabs the eye, drawing the reader in.
Both of these selections will have your children not only reading but reciting and retaining the fun facts they learn about weather and presidents. I’m so happy these books have found their way to our breakfast table.
Thank you to QED for offering us these fine books to review.We highly recommend them. They are perfect for any library public, home or school.
****Some of these links are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may get a very small commission.
This money goes towards postage and supplies to keep books and ideas in the hands of young readers!
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“Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.” History.com
Not only do I enjoy this holiday, I love looking back on the plethora of books I have reviewed in the past with a “Presidential theme.” To say the least, there are some wonderful books and activities out there on this topic that I know kids and families will enjoy. Here are some of my top picks:
Back in November 2012 of I created a very fun booklist in honor of the upcoming elections season.
Presidential politics.
From George Washington to Barack Obama, this child’s is a child’s perfect introduction to all of the U.S. Presidents. On every spread, readers will learn about the Presidents’ childhoods, families, careers, accomplishments in office, and life after the White House. Famous quotes, major events, and fun facts are all included. With simple text and full-color illustrations and photographs throughout, every parent, teacher, and child will want this essential reference for their bookshelf.-Amazon
John Adams was short, fat, and talkative. Thomas Jefferson was tall, thin, and quiet. Together, they made an excellent case for American Independence. But when Tom and John couldn’t agree whether a weak or strong presidency was better, they had a falling out that spanned their two presidencies and long into their retirements. Would they hold a grudge forever?-Amazon
See more of this presidential booklist blog post HERE.
In February of last year we enjoyed the Family Book Festival here on JIAB. AND one of my favorite young authors was kind enough to contribute a very fun book review. Felicia from Stanley & Katrina: Pet Authors offered up her book pick; Duck for President. Read more about Felicia and here fun review of Duck for President HERE.
During the last presidential election there was a lot of discussion about political parties. How are they different ? How are they the same? Who, exactly would make the better leader of our country ?
Here is an entertaining book which helps answer these questions. Using the cat and dog in a brilliant analogy of what really happens during the political process, author Julia Dweck brings voting and campaigning to life through her creative rhymes and entertaining conclusions. Read more about Cat or Dog for President HERE.
During our Read Around the Continents series we spotlighted North America and in the process pinpointed some amazing kidlit books about our country’s founding fathers and leaders.
The United States is 3.79 million square miles or 983 million square kilometers. With 315 million people living inside it’s borders, the United States is the world’s most ethnically diverse and multicultural nation. As well as it’s people, the geography and climate of the U.S. are equally diverse, with deserts, plains, forests, and mountains that are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Read more about this topics and the books that go with it HERE.
Exciting news! Is the winter blues and cabin fever making your family a bit “cray-cray”I have a fun idea up my sleeve to help get everyone moving and reading. My latest book (co-written with Marilyn Scott-Waters) A Year in The Secret Garden is a gorgeous book inspired by the classic children’s tale Secret Garden. Within these pages your family will find new activities, crafts, recipes and lessons (inspired by the book) in a something-to-do-every month format. SO, for the next few months I will be pulling some “fun-ness” from the pages of A Year in the Secret Garden and sharing them here every Wednesday. Watch for Secret Garden Wednesday coming very soon!
The post A Look back at Past President’s Day Booklists and Activities! appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite presidents. When I was 9 I became obsessed with him and read every book I could get my hands on. Many years later, I had the honor of giving birth to the sweetest little boy on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Today my sweet boy is 16, and nearly as tall as President Lincoln.
In celebration of my favorite president and my only and favorite son. I thought I’d share a few fun facts as well as some favorite “Honest Abe” reads.
Abraham Lincoln Fun Facts:
- Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Hardin County, Kentucky.
- He was born in a log cabin to an extremely poor family.
- He was largely self-educated and taught himself law.
- Abraham Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches tall, and was reported to have kept money in his stove-pipe hat!
- He became the 16th president of America in 1861, when he was 52 years of age, he served for 4 years until 1865.
- Major events which happened during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln included the Civil War which lasted from 1861 until 1865 and the raising of the Emancipation Proclamation which secured the liberty of slaves.
- Abraham Lincoln hated having his name shortened to Abe, and often chose to use his surname/last name, Lincoln. Sources suggest that even his wife even called him Mr. Lincoln!
- Abraham Lincoln was the first American President to wear a beard!
- When Abraham Lincoln was called two-faced by a rival, he was quoted as saying “If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?”
- The Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January, 1863 and slavery ended with the passage of the 13th amendment.
- Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd Lincoln on November 4, 1842, together they had 4 children, they were all boys.
- He led the Union into the Civil War to protect the nation and put an end to slavery.
- His celebrated career came to an end when he was assassinated on April 15 1865, five days after the Confederate armies surrendered the Civil War.
- Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865, the day after being shot at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth and was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
The Ultimate Abraham Lincoln Book List
1. A Picture book of Abraham Lincoln by David A Adler and John C. Wallner: Follows the life of the popular president, from his childhood on the frontier to his assassination after the end of the Civil War.
2. I am Abraham Lincoln (Ordinary People Change the World) by Brad Meltzer: #1 bestseller Brad Meltzer is on a mission to give kids the right role models in this lively, funny picture book biography series.”Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours.
3. Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal and Nancy Harrison: Born to a family of farmers, Lincoln stood out from an early age—literally! (He was six feet four inches tall.) As sixteenth President of the United States, he guided the nation through the Civil War and saw the abolition of slavery. But Lincoln was tragically shot one night at Ford’s Theater—the first President to be assassinated. Over 100 black-and-white illustrations and maps are included.
4. National Geographic Readers: Abraham Lincoln by Caroline Crosson Gilpin: The most effective method used to influence children to read is to incorporate the information that interests them the most. National Geographic Readers are educational, high-interest, and comprehensive for children. In this title, readers will learn about the fascinating life and legacy of our 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and his historic decision to abolish slavery. Readers will also learn why this decision impacted the United States, as well as the extent of Lincoln’s impact as a fearless leader of the Civil War.
5. Abraham Lincoln by Ingrid and Edgar D’Aulaire: A Caldecott Medal Book, A Child Study Children’s Book Committee: Children’s Book of the Year. This edition is published from the original 1940 printing and we were able to recreate the vivid colors originally intended by the d’Aulaires. This is a must have for any fan of the d’Aulaires’.
6. Abe Lincoln’s Hat by Martha Brenner and Donald Cook
7. Meet Abraham Lincoln by Barbara Cary: This warmly told biography of our sixteenth president is enriched by many authentic but seldom told anecdotes and complemented by bold color illustrations that capture the spirit of Lincoln and his era.
8. Abe Lincoln: The Boy who Loved Books by Kay Winters: In a tiny log cabin a boy listened with delight to the storytelling of his ma and pa. He traced letters in sand, snow, and dust. He borrowed books and walked miles to bring them back. When he grew up, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln
9. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #47. By Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce: When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #47: Abe Lincoln at Last!, they had lots of questions. What was it like to grow up in a log cabin? How did Lincoln become president? What was his family like? Why did the US fight the Civil War? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.
10. DK Biography: Abraham Lincoln by Tanya Lee Stone: Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States, led the nation through its darkest hour-the Civil War. Find out about Lincoln’s childhood on a frontier farm, how a struggling small town lawyer became president, and why he became one of America’s most revered leaders.
In this groundbreaking new series, DK brings together fresh voices and DK design values to give readers the most information-packed, visually exciting biographies on the market today. Full-color photographs of people, places, and artifacts, and sidebars on related subjects add dimension and relevance to stories of famous lives that students will love to read.
11. Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman
12. Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities by Janis Herbert:2008 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Honors Award winner. Providing a fresh perspective on one of the most beloved presidents of all time, this illuminating activity book tells the rich story of Abraham Lincoln’s life and details the events of his era. Highlighting Lincoln’s warm, generous spirit and impressive intellect, the guide teaches children about his fascinating life story, his struggles at the onset of the Civil War, and his relevance in today’s world.
13. Magic Tree House # 47: Abe Lincoln at Last! By Mary Pope Osborne: Jack and Annie are! They are trying to get a special feather that will help save Merlin’s baby penguin, Penny. When the magic tree house whisks them back to Washington, D.C., in 1861, Jack can’t wait to meet Abraham Lincoln himself!
14. Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Doreen Rapapport and Kadir Nelson: From the time he was a young boy roaming the forests of the unsettled Midwest, Abraham Lincoln knew in his heart that slavery was deeply wrong. A voracious reader, Lincoln spent every spare moment of his days filling his mind with knowledge, from history to literature to mathematics, preparing himself to one day lead the country he loved towards greater equality and prosperity.
**some of these links are affiliate links
Don’t forget to grab your FREE copy of my Read Your World Multicultural Booklists and Activities for Kids.
The post Love Abraham Lincoln? Here’s the Ultimate Abe Lincoln Booklist appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
