Books Make Me Happy: My First Reading Log by Judy Pelakin
Ages 4-8
Workman Publishing Company (November 26, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
The cover is a definite attention grabber with cover art and interior illustrations by little-known artists (Judy Pelikan embroidered drawings by real kids about their love of books - charming!). If any other parents have had this experience, recording the books your child reads seems to inspire a fire of reading more and more so the child can see the list grow. And, this book adds another dimension for kids and parents to start a dialogue about the best parts of the book and their critique (I had better watch my back - these kids may be after my job :). If you have an avid or reluctant reader in early elementary school, this book is useful and fun.

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The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America By Donald Kroodsma
A Cornell Lab of Ornithology Audio Field Guide A Guide to Listening By Donald Kroodsma
Chronicle Books - April, 2008
Ages: It’s for adults, but kids LOVE it
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I received this book as a birthday gift and I can not pry it out of my kindergartner’s hands. Although we have dozens of guides to flora and fauna in our area, this is the first book that plays each bird’s song or songs and helps us really identify what’s flying, nesting and feeding nearby. At night, when we can hear the birds, but not see them, we could tell for sure we had a female Great Horned Owl on the prowl. This book goes with us everywhere we travel now in our quest to know with who-o-o-m we’re sharing our piece of the planet. I can’t wait to share it with my girl scout troop!

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Truce by Jim Murphy
Scholastic Press (October 1, 2009)
Ages 9-12
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Kudos to Jim Murphy for telling a story that most people have never heard. On the front lines of World War I where lives are lost and soldiers are tested, Jim Murphy tells the true stories of soldiers from opposite sides exchanging kind words, gifts and human kindness. An impromptu truce between British and German soldiers enables the men to take a break from the cacophony and misery of war on Christmas Day. Defying orders not to fraternize with ‘the enemy,’ soldiers paused for a handshake and friendship and found that they had more in common than different. The book has archival photos to accompany the text which makes this fascinating story even more interesting.

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Reef by Scubazoo
DK ADULT - August 17, 2009

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I am absolutely wild about nature books and have a giant and ever-expanding collection. This one, is, without exception, the most beautiful photographic collection of the beauty of the ocean’s occupants. The whole family will enjoy looking at this collection. Warning: you will definitely see your children leaning toward careers in marine biology.

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The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum by Candace Fleming
Ray Fenwick (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (September 8, 2009)Kiwi Magazine Review:
It’s an amazing story of courage, creativity and cunning which brought the Greatest Show on Earth to fruition. The history of PT Barnum and the circus will never cease to amaze.

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Open Me Up by DK Publishing 
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: DK CHILDREN (September 21, 2009)
Cautions: Lots of body parts

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Once a DK Publishing book enters my home, it never leaves. The photography, text and illustrations are incredible and make all of my family members, regardless of age, want to cuddle up with a book about anatomy. That’s a most impressive feat. This book has accurate information about the body but also interjects humor and a dose of gross just to keep the readers interested.

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Mission to the Moon: (Book and DVD) by Alan Dyer
Simon & Schuster, 2009
Ages 9-12
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Description:
This wonderful book and DVD would make a great gift for the space explorer in your family. Every possible angle is covered in this 40th Anniversary celebration of the first lunar landing. I found that the adults were just as mesmerized as the kids while watching the DVD. An absolute must-have for all home libraries.

How Weird Is It? by Ben Hillman
Scholastic Press - 2009
Ages:
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This book is so cool! In terms of the ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ theory, one need to look no further than animals, insects and amphibians to see how crazy things can really get. Many composite fill the book, which led my daughter to believe that comets were currently crashing into the ocean, but the book’s clear and comical explanations of these true stories should clear that up.

Product Description
Ben Hillman, author of the dynamic and eye-catching How Big Is It series, now explores HOW WEIRD IS IT? Just how weird is a mushroom, a toad, or a Neanderthal? With full-color photographs that make you say, “Wow!” Ben Hillman is king of comparison making.

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Things To Do With Mom: Lots Of Fun For Everyone by Scholastic
Scholastic 2009
Ages: 9-12
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I think the title limits this book a little, because this little blue book is chock full of great ideas to keep kids entertained on a rainy day or any day. With a mix of ideas for indoor or outdoor play, this book is a great resource for simple fun. This is a counterpart to the Things to Do with Dad book and equally enjoyable.

Product Description
This guide is full of fun and creative ways to spend time with mom, indoors and out. You’ll learn how to:

Treat Mom to a spa day.

Make a miniature garden together.

Plan a perfect picnic.

Create a haunted house… and much more!

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Things To Do With Dad: Lots Of Fun For Everyone by Scholastic
Scholastic 2009
Ages: 9-12
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I think the title limits this book a little, because this little blue book is chock full of great ideas to keep kids entertained on a rainy day or any day. With a mix of ideas for indoor or outdoor play, this book is a great resource for simple fun.

Product Description
This guide is packed with indoor and outdoor activities that kids and dads can enjoy together. You’ll learn how to:

Turn your kitchen in Dad’s diner.

Build a snow fort together.

Hold a scavenger hunt.

Go on a fishing expedition… and much more!

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