just for fun - Today is National Dog Photography Day!

If you have a dog in your family, then today is just the day to take photos of them as it is National Dog Photography Day! You are able to learn about this day at the following link - but I thought I'd also share a few fun facts about dogs from AKC with you . . .

Summer Reading - No Dragons for Tea

As I wait for more books to arrive for my Summer Reading Reviews, I'm very happy to let you know about another book I reviewed two years ago from Kids Can Press - No Dragons for Tea by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Martine Gourbault. This story is fun and teaches children important fire safety skills . . . 

Today is a Great Day to Make Your own Book!

If you are looking for something fun you could do today with the children you love, consider doing something creative - make your own book! Consider making your own unique story or sit down together and make your own unique "twist" of a favorite book. When my grands were younger they loved Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket - and one day they made their own version of this story - complete with fun illustrations!  

First, some history of books, which I found on-line . . .

Bob, Not Bob! from Jambo Books

 

I'm waiting for a few more books to arrive for my Summer Book Review, so today I'm sharing again a fun book from Jambo Books - they have a wonderful book club for kids - Bob, Not Bob! written and illustrated by  Audrey Vernick, Liz Garton Scanlon, and Matthew Cordell.

grandma's cookbook - No-Bake Cookies!

Around my house there is a cookie which whenever I make them, never stays around for long . . . the no-bake cookie! And, since today is going to be hot - in the 90's with dew points in the 70's which means it will also be humid - a no-bake cookie is definitely the kind of cookie to make if you are making cookies today! Try my grandma's recipe with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to become a family favorite!

Summer Reading - The Birds of Christmas

While Christmas is still five months away, this new book from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers, The Birds of Christmas by Olivia Armstrong and illustrated by Mira Miroslavova is a beautiful book to enjoy any time of year with it's timeless presentation of the birth of Jesus.

Today - July 23rd - is Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day

There are SO many ways to combine peanut butter and chocolate for truly enjoyable treats - whether you make cakes, cookies, candies, pies - all are wonderful for sure! So a special day to celebrate this tasty combo makes perfect sense. I'm going to share with you my family's favorite recipe for homemade peanut butter balls, but first, let's look at some fun facts for peanut butter and then chocolate - did you know . . .

Summer Reading - Late Today

Today I'm happy to let you know about another new book from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers - Late Today by Jungyoon Huh, illustrated by Myungae Lee, and translated by Aerin Park.

Tomorrow - July 23rd - is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, So Make Lemonade Pie!

Yes, tomorrow is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, and while you could certainly enjoy a bowl of vanilla ice cream - possibly topped however you most enjoy - you could also use this day to make Lemonade Pie! You will learn more about vanilla ice cream at this link, but I thought I'd share a few fun facts as well - did you know . . . 

Summer Reading - Consider the Birds

Saturday I received three more books from Eerdman's Books for Young Readers, so today I'm going to let you know about the first one - Consider the Birds by Jennifer Grant and illustrated by Julianna Swaney.

Fluffy Cinnamon Biscuits!

Okay, I admit it, I have always struggled to make a perfect, fluffy biscuit. My biscuits typically turned out resembling a rock more than anything you actually wanted to eat. But, I found a recipe one day and discovered, not only was it easy and quick, but the biscuits turned out fluffy and wonderful! Plus, when you add cinnamon and make a little icing on the side for the children you love to top their biscuits with as they like, it makes a fantastic breakfast biscuit! So, of course I have to share this recipe with you.

Summer Reading - Do Your Ears Hang Low?

For the past few weeks I've been sharing book reviews with you in my Summer Reading reviews. Reading to and with the children we love is one of the most important things we can ever do to help them speak sooner, develop a larger vocabulary, begin to read, and do better in school, so reading to and with them in the Summer - and all year - is one of the best ways we are able to spend our time with them. Since I'm waiting for more books to arrive, today I'm very happy to let you know about a book I reviewed a few years ago from Union Square Kids - it was one of my grands' favorite books! Do Your Ears Hang Low? illustrated by Jenny Cooper is a "must-get" book and is sure to be a favorite of the children you love, too! 

Today is International Chess Day

All three of my grands enjoy playing chess. They often want to play chess with me when they are at my house - primarily because they always beat me. My middle grand has won games with me by making fewer than five moves - I still do not know how they did that! My oldest grand likes to play chess with me - he also often beats me with fewer than ten moves. My youngest grand will play chess with me IF he is able to start without his queen - the last time we did this he managed to get two queens back, and yes, he won. 

There are many reasons teaching children to play chess is something which benefits them - did you know . . . 

Summer Reading - Do NOT Open This Book!

 

I have reviewed this book before, but as I think about books my grands have loved which I am able to recommend for Summer Reading fun, this one is definitely a book I happily recommend! It was sent a few years ago for review from Scholastic - and today I am very happy to let you know about, Do NOT Open This Book!