PICTURE BOOKS TO INSPIRE, ENJOY AND LOVE

I have a special treat for you today.  3 different picture books that will inspire your children and I know they will grow to love and enjoy as well.  Not only will I give you a quick glance at these beauties but at the end of the post you can also enter to win ALL 3 OF THEM.  Just think you can add all 3 of these books to your home library.

*Disclosure:  I received these books from Raincoast Books and they are sponsoring the giveaway for the books.  As with all book reviews I strive to provide an honest opinion of the books and the opinions are 100% my opinion or of my children.  You can read my full Disclosure Policy Here. 

Summer Walk
BOOK #1: A BOOK TO INSPIRE

Title: Summer Walk

Author: Virginia Brimhall Snow

Illustrator: Virginia Brimhall Snow

Publisher: Gibbs Smith (to enrich and inspire humankind)

Published Date: 2016

My thoughts:

A beautiful picture book to inspire your children to learn about bugs.  Grammy wanders through fields and forests with her grandchildren to explore the different types of bugs they might find.  Some of the bugs depicted in the story are firefly, caterpillar, walking stick, snail and beetles plus many, many more.

Each bug is coloured in and stands out boldly on each page while the children, grammy and the environment are done in a simple sketch.  See examples below.

Summer walk Summer walk

As an added bonus to enrich the learning there are a few pages of activities to accompany the book.  A craft activity as seen below, how to hatch butterflies and a page of Insect Fun Facts.  This book would make for a perfect addition for a unit exploring insects.

Summer Walk

BOOK #2:  A BOOK TO ENJOY

Title: Flora and the Peacocks

Author: Molly Idle

Illustrator: Molly Idle

Publisher: Chronicle Books 

Publication Date: 2016

Flora and the Peacocks

My thoughts:

I first fell in love with Molly Idle when my daughter and I discovered Flora and the Flamingo at the library.  Flora and the Peacocks is Idle’s latest release starring Flora.  The story of Flora is told through illustrations and flaps, and page lifts. Idle’s illustrations are fluid making the story appear as if Flora is dancing with peacocks.

One peacock is curious about her while the other one wants nothing to do with her. Then Flora begins to take interest in the one that was ignoring her which leads to jealousy between the peacocks.  The peacocks fight for Flora’s attention.  In their quest to vie for Flora’s attention the two peacocks end up breaking Flora’s fan. She leaves them upset and angry.  In the end both peacocks work together to make Flora feel better and so ends the dance.  As seen below in the large fold out to display.

Flora and the Peacocks

The illustrations are both gorgeous and delicate and help to tell the tale of Flora with her friends.  My daughter loves these books and lifting the flaps on the pages always bring an edge of excitement to the story.  This book can be enjoyed over and over again.  Just have to be careful with the page flaps as they do eventually exhibit wear and tear but we book lovers know that that is a sign of a well loved book.

BOOK #3:  A BOOK TO LOVE

Title: Love is all around Edmonton

Author: Wendi Silvano

Illustrator: Joanna Czernichowska

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Publication Date: 2016

Love is all Around Edmonton

My Thoughts:

This book is in a series of books titled ‘Love is all around (insert city)’.  Author and illustrator also did Love is All Around Canada or if you visit their site Put Me in the Story where you can create a personalized book with your child’s name.  The one I have is Love is all Around Edmonton.

It begins with a quick discussion of where love comes from and then how do we know it’s there? How can we see it and what can we do? This book is all about the love for the city of Edmonton, and of course, I will be a bit bias as I love this city.  The personalized nature of the book highlights some of our most loved areas in the city.  Highlands, Crestwood, and even Sherwood Park.  In the illustrations we see our parliament building, the North Saskatchewan River (we are know for our river valley) and Hawrelak Park where we celebrate many, many different festivals or just hanging out with the birds.  Strathcona can’t be missed, especially the shopping in all the unique stores found there.

Love is all Around Edmonton

Love travels from one friend to another as it spreads and grows.  Love also grows from the ground. Can you find the love that mother earth has shared with us?  And where will you find the best love of all, well, at home perhaps reading this book with the little ones you love.

The only thing I found incorrect in this book is the page with Recall Place.  Our much beloved hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers, now make their home in Rogers Place in the Ice District in downtown Edmonton.  I guess the author and illustrator will probably make an update soon.  But the rest of the book is lovely with its bright illustrations and its story of love among family, friends, and the love we find in our community.

Now who is ready to win all 3 of these books.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

PRIZE: 1 winner will receive a copy of each of the above books.  1 Summer Walk, 1 Flora and the Peacocks and 1 Love is All Around Edmonton.

CONTEST CLOSES: October 10th, 2016

OPEN TO: 18+ Canadian Residents Only  (prize will be shipped by Raincoast Books.)

HOW TO ENTER: Enter by entering the Rafflecopter Giveaway Below – please read the terms and conditions carefully. Must have a valid email address in order to receive the prize as I will have to ask for a mailing address. Canadian residents will have to answer a skill testing question via email as well.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: **NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.** A winner will be randomly drawn using the Rafflecopter widget below and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the contest ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond in 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. A Canadian winner will be asked a skill testing question via their email given as a part of this giveaway. The prizes are sponsored by Raincoast Books. This giveaway is hosted and managed by Bonnie Dani from Adalinc to Life. If you have any additional questions – please send an email to bonniedani(at)adalinc(dot)org.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck and Cheers,

Bonnie in Gold glitter

Bonnie Dani

Educator, Writer, Blogger, Mom

Contact Me: [email protected]