Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Once there was a beautiful doll with long dark curls and beautiful blue eyes.  She is passed from owner to owner but longs for someone to keep her and love her and give her a name.  Read this charming story, The Hand-Me-Down Doll by Steven Kroll and see what happens when one day the beautiful doll meets a little girl and her luck changes.

Can the Kindergators and Miss Harmony find a way to help Miracle control her meltdowns in the classroom?  Read Kindergators Miracle Melts Down by Rosemary Wells and see how Miss Harmony and the Kindergators handle Miracle when things don’t go her way and she has temper tantrums.  Young readers will learn how to work together to be good friends to their classmates and create harmony in the classroom.    

“No, little Twiga.  Stay close, stay safe.”  Mama giraffe wants her little baby Twiga to stay close, stay safe from the dangers out in the big world of the African savanna.  But little Twiga is so curious.  Read Stay Close to Mama by Toni Buzzeo and follow along with little Twiga as he explores the African savanna.

Chris Gall’s Dinotrux are back in Revenge Of The Dinotrux.  The Dinotrux have spent years stuck in an old museum and are tired of being surrounded by loud screaming kids.  They are ready to break out and seek revenge.  Read this fun story and see if the Dinotrux learn how to behave out in the real world. 

Book Chat - Pioneer Woman, Steve Jobs

Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond
****
"Enjoyed this light read that has plenty of humorous moments.  A young woman's idea of the ideal life changes when she meets a special man.  Takes you through all the adjustments of single to married then married with a baby." -- Janelle Heaney

Steve Jobs by Issacson Walter
*****
" It's a very good biography.  Not only because Steve Jobs is a century legend, but also the influence he gives to the society and industry.  I am amazed to read his childhood and how his childhood influenced him to his future success.  I will recommend it to any adults to read." -- Naixin Willis

Book Chat-- I Quit!, A Merry Heart, The Forgotten Garden

I Quit! Stop Pretending Everything if Fine & Change Your Life by Geri Scazzero

*****

"This book was great. It addressed many areas in life.  I love that it gave us permission to not be perfect.  She had many great things to say in her chapters."-- Jenni Wagner

A Merry Heart by Wanda Brunstetter 

****

"A good lesson can be learned from this book - bitterness and unforgiveness hurts you, not the other person your anger is toward.  It can also affect your physical well-being.  Attitude is a choice.  Miriam is not enjoying life and is merely existing.  While she does have an influence on others - she is a school teacher - it is hindered by her attitude.  Miriam must learn to forgive and let her defenses down to live life fully and allow love to bloom once again.  While I did learn from and enjoy this book, I find one of the other "Amish fiction" writers to be a better author and my favorite." -- Grace Snider

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

*****

"I really enjoyed this story of a granddaughter uncovering the secret past of her grandmother.  The book alternates between the early 1900's in England, Australia in the 1970's and modern day." -- Robin Willford