Category Archives: science

Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes

An adorable rhyming story about acceptance and working together can be found in Nimbus, the Rain Cloud by Sandra Barnes.

Nimbus wants to play with the cumulus clouds, but they shoo him away because the children won’t play in the rain. After the children sing, “Rain, Rain, Go Away,” Nimbus is sure the cumulus clouds are right. But once Nimbus disappears, there is no more rain, which causes all kinds of other problems.

Licensed clinical and forensic psychologist Sandra Barnes channeled her passion for multiculturalism and helping young people into a sweet story about the importance of appreciating our uniqueness, accepting others, and the joy of working together. This book teaches an important lesson in a nice way. The story is followed by a note to parents, discussion questions, and ways for readers to apply the story to their lives.

Courtney Smith created the artwork for Nimbus, the Rain Cloud. From the deep greens of the grass to the brown rabbit sipping from blue puddles to the white, blue, and black of the sky as the clouds cool the earth, each illustration brought this story to life for me.

If you like cute stories with meaningful messages, Nimbus, the Rain Cloud is an excellent choice.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

I purchased a free copy from Amazon during a special promotion. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Caterpillar’s Surprise by Janet Halfmann (Save if you pre-order before Dec 2, 2021)

Caterpillar’s Surprise by Janet Halfmann celebrates the beauty of change, growing, and friendship.

Caterpillar is eager to win the Blue Ribbon at Owl’s Masquerade Ball, but she fears she can’t fool anyone since she is such a baby. Then Tadpole convinces her that her natural baby disguise of looking like bird poo is a sure winner.

As Caterpillar grows and her looks change, she gets more worried. Thankfully, Tadpole is there to encourage her. Then one day, Caterpillar spins a chrysalis. For weeks she sits unchanging and unmoving. Tadpole wonders if she will break out in time for the ball.

This is a sweet story that is also educational. Caterpillar’s Surprise takes young readers through the physical changes for Caterpillar and Tadpole, while showing how they create a special friendship along the way.

Emily Krueger’s artwork is so vibrant and so full of emotion that the reader is captivated by the images as much as by the prose. The various shades of brown in young Caterpillar’s body, the deep greens of the lily pads, the glorious yellow as Caterpillar bursts forth from her chrysalis to reveal herself as a butterfly, and the golden lights of the fireflies as they illuminate the night sky, will keep readers turning page after page just as much as their eagerness to see who wins the Blue Ribbon.

A perfect gift for lovers of nature, curious minds, and those who enjoy wonderful stories with lessons hidden inside, is what you’ll find in Caterpillar’s Surprise.

Rating: 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing (December 2, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 34 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 168433845X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1684338450

Pre-order in paperback and hardcover from Black Rose Writing before December 2, 2021 and use promo code PREORDER 2021 to receive a 15% discount.

I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

New from 4RV Publishing

Emma loves bedtime. She laughs when Poppa pretends to place her in the dog’s bed, the kitchen sink, and other silly places instead of her bed. Once you discover what happens when Poppa finally places her in her bed, you’ll want to play This Isn’t My Bed with your own children.

Hi! My name is Fred. I am a tornado siren. Oh, you don’t know what a tornado siren is? My friends and I watch over people. We let them know when a tornado might be coming.

Open the pages and read my story. I am a Storm Sentinel.

Many stars brighten the sky at night, so does every person have one? One child finds his own stellar companion that follows him everywhere.

Why Does That Star Follow Me? let’s readers discover the child’s discovery.

For these and other 4RV Publishing titles, please visit www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com

A Toad That Explodes and Other Cool Animal Facts by Melissa Abramovitz

Did you know that horned lizards can shoot blood from their eyes? Discover other mind-blowing facts about animals!

Age Range: 10 – 12 years
Grade Level: 2 – 3
Lexile Measure: HL470L
Series: Mind-Blowing Science Facts
Library Binding: 32 pages
Publisher: Capstone Press (January 1, 2019)

Purchase here!

Melissa Abramovitz is the author of hundreds of magazine articles, more than 30 educational books for children and teenagers, numerous poems and short stories, and several children’s picture books. She is a graduate of the University of California San Diego. Visit her website at www.melissaabramovitz.com

New Release: The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm

Ellie’s grandpa Melvin is a world-renowned scientist . . . in the body of a fourteen-year-old boy. His feet stink, and he eats everything in the refrigerator–and Ellie is so happy to have him around. Grandpa may not exactly fit in at middle school, but he certainly keeps things interesting. When he and Ellie team up for the county science fair, no one realizes just how groundbreaking their experiment will be. The formula for eternal youth may be within their reach! And when Ellie’s cat, Jonas Salk, gets sick, the stakes become even higher. But is the key to eternal life really the key to happiness? Sometimes even the most careful experiments yield unexpected–and wonderful–results.

Age Range: 8 – 12 years
Grade Level: 3 – 7
Lexile Measure: 0500
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 4, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524719803
ISBN-13: 978-1524719807

Purchase from:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble