it's that book
  • Home
    • DPCA Book Fair
  • Blog
  • Shop!
  • Join My Team
  • Host a Party
  • About Me

discover that book

a blog about usborne books & more

dragon post

11/1/2018

0 Comments

 
"Goodness me - A BABY DRAGON?!?! IN YOUR HOUSE? CRIKEY!" So begins a letter from Henry Drant, Chief Firefighter, to Alex, who found a dragon in his house and wrote to the Fire Brigade to figure out what to do with it.

Emma Yarlett has made a name for herself in the Usborne Books & More community for her oh-so-popular Nibbles books, and she's back! Dragon Post has the familiar humor and art style of the Nibbles books, but it comes with an extra fun element: letters!

After Alex finds a dragon in his house, he writes to all sorts of people for advice. And with each request comes a response in the form of a letter: The Fire Brigade suggests he keep the dragon wet, a butcher offers some food recommendations, the Director of World Animal Welfare suggests how to exercise a dragon. Alex even gets an (unsolicited) letter from a lawyer after discovering how loud dragons can be. 

Through these letters, Alex learns that, although he loves his dragon, living in a house might not be the best situation for him. With a little help from his best friend, Alex decides to let the dragon go into the wild... and a little while later, gets the best letter of all: dragon post!

Besides offering a sweet story, Dragon Post is a great way to get your kiddos excited about letter writing! The letters Alex receives demonstrate a variety of writing styles and purposes - I even used the book in my high school class for a lesson on writing styles and voices. It's hard to read this book without wanting to pick up an actual pen and an actual piece of stationary and send a letter of your own. So what are you waiting for? Go send some post!

It's that book dragon lovers and letter-writing lovers alike will want to cuddle up with.

Book benefits:
  • Story offers a sweet lesson on friendship (and letting go when needed)
  • Illustrations are bright and comical
  • Real letters you can pull out and read add an extra element of interaction
  • This is a book about letters, not e-mails! It's a nod to real mail, which everyone loves :)

Buy Dragon Post here (hardcover with removable letters, $14.99)
Click on the photos for a close-up:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

billy and the mini monsters (series)

6/3/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
"Mom, can we read this one?" These days, whenever I hear that question, there's a pretty good chance one of my boys is holding up one of the books from the Billy and the Mini Monsters series, Usborne books written by Zanna Davidson and illustrated by Melanie Williamson. My boys were captivated as soon as I pulled the books out of the box they arrived in, and their love has only grown since then.

Billy is a boy (I would guess around 10 years old) who finds five tiny monsters living in his sock drawer. He winds up saving their life in the first book when they get trapped in the washing machine, and they swear their allegiance to him for life. Captain Snott, Fang Face, Trumpet, Gloop, and Peep may be monsters, but they're actually pretty cute, more so than scary - and Billy takes to them instantly.

Picture
Each book in the series focuses on a different adventure Billy has with these mini monsters. Wherever they end up, trouble seems to follow - at school, during swim lessons, moving house, at a party, even at the airport. The monsters and Billy work together to ultimately sort out their problem, and life continues.

​Although the monsters tend to complicate Billy's life, they also help him grow and learn important lessons. At school, Billy learns to not be intimidated by a bully. At a birthday party, Billy realizes his sister isn't actually that bad, and they can have fun together. At his swim lessons, the monsters help Billy overcome his fear of heights and diving off the diving board. The situations may seems silly on the surface, but the bigger lessons are meaningful and relevant to kids.

One reason my boys - who are 3 and 5, not yet reading - can't put these books down is that the illustrations are so fun and enticing! The stories are told through a combination of narrative with illustrations and comic strip/graphic novel panels. The illustrations are goofy, colorful, and full of narrative themselves... so kids of all ages can appreciate them! Your kids will love the funny characters and the tense moments, and you'll love listening to endless giggles as you read with them over and over.

It's that book series you will wind up reading again and again, and loving each time.

Book benefits:
  • Engaging stories, characters, and illustrations will keep your kids coming back for more
  • Although it helps to start with Monsters in the Dark, subsequent books include a quick recap of how Billy and the monsters met, so you can read books in any order (though I've listed them below in my suggested order)
  • Abundance of illustrations will help kids connect with the stories before they can even read
  • Stories include important lessons, though they aren't preachy
  • It's really fun to come up with voices for each of the mini monsters :) 
  • Each book contains 6 chapters - great to split into multiple readings for young readers but not overwhelming to read in one go

Buy Billy and the Mini Monsters books individually or as a set and save 20%!
  • Monsters in the Dark (paperback, $4.99)
  • Monsters on the Loose (paperback, $4.99)
  • Monsters to the Rescue (paperback, $4.99)
  • Monsters on a Plane (paperback, $4.99)
  • Monsters go Party! (paperback, $4.99)
  • Monsters on the Move (paperback, $4.99)
  • Billy and the Mini Monsters Complete Set (paperback, $24.99)

A preview from Monsters in the Dark (click to enlarge) -
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

americanly

3/17/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
"I love you endlessly like the Cape Cod sands. I love you dramatically like the bare Badlands. I love you intensely like Niagara Falls. I love you immensely like the Grand Canyon's Walls." For those of you who love Animally, this is another winner for your shelves! 

Americanly, written by Lynn Parrish Sutton and illustrated by Melanie Hope Greenberg, celebrates love through the bounty of America's famous landmarks and landscapes. Sutton's sing-song rhyming couplets paired with Greenberg's whimsical illustrations create an instant winner that is both sweet and educational.

Redwoods, the Texas Big Bend, Denali, the Continental Divide, and the Outer Bank are just a handful of the locales introduced through this book that is bound to spark curiosity with your readers as they learn about impressive sites around the country. You'll find yourself reading it again and again... and then looking up the various locations in reference books and online to learn more about them! And, with a map at the back that links each illustration to its geographic location, it's easy to start asking questions and looking up answers.

It's that book that blends love of reading with love of country in a timeless fashion.

Book benefits:
  • Simple story introduces a variety of famous spots around the United States
  • Fun and whimsical illustrations will engage littlest readers
  • Text cleverly rhymes words like Divide and tide, Highway and flyway - geography and poetry combined!
  • Map at the back connects locations with geography
  • Hardover book and card stock pages will weather many readings

Buy your copy of Americanly today! (hardcover, $11.99)
Picture
Picture
Picture
2 Comments

Boy

2/4/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Boy couldn't hear, but he was happy. He spoke with dancing hands and he drew pictures for people in the sand. His parents loved his stories... but the villagers didn't understand." 

Boy, by Phil Cummings and Shane Devries, is a beautiful story for many reasons. It tells the story of a feuding king and dragon, and a little boy who helps them see (or perhaps hear) past their differences. The story may be simple, but the message runs deep. In a society where it seems we are so often more interested in being right than being heard, we all need to stop and pay attention to the child who simply wants to understand, "why are you fighting?" And then take the time to talk it out. 

The illustrations in this sweet picture book are crisp and powerful; everything about the book is thoughtful and filled with meaning. I'm a big fan of books where the illustrations tell the story as much as the text, because it means kiddos who don't yet read can still find meaning in the story. 

It's that book where something as simple as dancing hands helps us understand each other a little better.

Book benefits:
  • Story speaks to hearing impairment without presenting it as a problem - in fact, it's what saves the day
  • Illustrations will engage the readers as much as the powerful story
  • Message is one that adults need as much as children :) 
  • Hardcover binding makes for a sturdy read to enjoy over and over

Buy Boy here! ($12.99, hardcover)
Here's a preview!
0 Comments

usborne my first reading library

1/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
"It is a map." Let me tell you, that humble sentence is an exciting one. It's exciting because my son read it all by himself! As a confirmed book addict, I have been waiting, waiting for the day my kids can read because I know how empowering it is to lose yourself in a story. And, thanks to the First Reading Library, that day is on the horizon!

The Usborne My First Reading Library is a collection of 50 - yes, 50! - leveled books that will lay the foundation for literacy with your kids. The first 22 books are leveled very intentionally. They start with "dual reader" books with some text on the page for you to read and a very simple phrase or sentence for your young reader to practice. From there, you progress over 15 levels to books your kids can practice reading independently, still with simple sentence structure and vocabulary.

The next 12 books are designed for kids to practice reading on their own, and the final 16 books get a little more complex to build stamina and confidence. With a variety of topics and illustration styles, this set will keep you and your young readers engaged and entertained as your young reader becomes familiar with the art of reading!

An added bonus with this series is the downloadable parents' guide, an 18-page PDF filled with resources, questions and answers, and insights about the words introduced in each book. 
It's that book (after book after book) that will gently guide your little one from recognizing basic words to being an independent, confident reader!
Book benefits (so many!):
  • Books in the series were developed based on research, supporting development with phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
  • ​First seven levels of books are "dual readers" you read with your child to model and encourage reading
  • Each book contains puzzles and questions at the back to check comprehension and reinforce keyword recognition
  • Books address a variety of topics and characters to engage readers with all sorts of interests
  • Series includes multiple illustration styles to keep reading fresh
  • Books are lightweight and small, perfect for little hands - and for taking with you on the go
  • At $80 for 50 books, you're paying less than $2.00 for each book!

What's more, online resources are available to support you from the British Usborne site:
  • Downloadable Parent Guide for the series
  • Very First Reading parent and teacher resource site
  • Websites to support parents
  • Activities for young children
  • Guide to phoneme pronunciation​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Buy the Usborne My First Reading Library here! (paperback in cardboard case, $79.99)

Other reading series to consider:
  • Very First Reading Boxed Set ($69.99, hardcover with cardboard case)
    • includes the first 15 books from the reading library in hardcover
  • Read with Usborne books ($3.99 each, paperback)
    • new series of leveled books - buy individually, 4 levels available
  • Phonics books
    • Phonics Readers Boxed Set (20 paperback books for $69.99 with cardboard case)
    • individual phonics books ($6.99 each, paperback)
    • Ted and Friends ($19.99, hardcover with CD)
      • bound collection of 12 phonics stories, including audio versions on CD
    • Cow Takes a Bow and Other Stories ($14.99, hardcover)
      • bound collection of 6 phonics stories
    • Raccoon on the Moon and Other Tales ($14.99, hardcover)
      • bound collection of 6 phonics stories
My short video review of the series:
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    author

    Hi there! I'm Christine - Usborne Books & More independent consultant, kids' book fan, English teacher, mom of two boys. 


    archives

    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    categories

    All
    Active Engagement
    Alphabet Books
    Animals
    Baby Books
    Bedtime Books
    Board Books
    Chapter Fiction
    Combined Volume
    Counting Books
    Dual Readers
    Early Elementary
    Early Readers
    Farmyard Tales
    Flap Books
    Good For All Ages
    Internet Linked
    Late Elementary
    Machine Books
    Middle/high School
    Middle School
    Nature
    Nonfiction Books
    Phonics Books
    Picture Books
    Reference Books
    Story Books
    Toddler Books

    RSS Feed

Picture
Mission statement of Usborne Books & More: "The future of our world depends on the education of our children. Usborne Books & More delivers educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime."
Picture
All writing on this site 
​
© 2019 
Christine Bailey
Bookstore link

This website is designed by Christine Bailey, Independent Consultant with Usborne Books & More. Usborne Publishing Ltd and Usborne Books & More - EDC Publishing - Kane/Miller books have no connection with this web site and the pages therein and do not sponsor or support their content.
  • Home
    • DPCA Book Fair
  • Blog
  • Shop!
  • Join My Team
  • Host a Party
  • About Me