"Stanley the Seagull"~ He's Adorable!

Book Summary :

Meet a young seagull named Stanley. Follow him as he wanders far from home and tries to find his way back. Join Stanley on his journey as he learns how humans affect the balance of nature.

Published by:  Tribute Books

Pages:  32 with pictures

Grammie's Message:

Dear Stanley is the cutest seagull ever!  His book is fun to read and has lots of pictures to keep young ones' imaginations going while you read to them.  I was even able to read "Stanley..." over Skype to my grandson, and he loved it!

The story of a kindly, but young seagull, "Stanley.." will warm the hearts of little ones while teaching (in a gentle way) the lessons of home and heeding the advice of others.  Stanley is caught up in a "situation" where his impulse to get what he wants; i. e., more food, overcomes his caution and the warning of his friend.  He grabs more food from a trash truck only to become trapped and carried off a long way from home--to a landfill before he knows it!  At the landfill he learns about how humans are affecting the environment.

Scared and very far from home, poor Stanley realizes his mistake in not listening to his friend's warning.  Or, put another way; he learns that for every action, there's a reaction...for bad or for worse, and in this case it's worse because he is not home; not near his beautiful beach!

A wise old seagull, Walter, helps Stanley, and from him Stanley learns how to get back home.  Dear Stanley recognizes that there really is no place like his home, and he learns others just might be able to share wise advice he could learn from.

I loved this little book.  It's just right for children who are learning impulse control, listening to teachers and parents for guidance, and understanding about our environment.  The pictures are so darling.  They visually support Stanley's feelings throughout.

All in all, "Stanley the Seagull" is a bright new book for children, one that is fun to read to them and one that has a  messages they might easily take in.

The other thing that impresses me about this book is that it is published by Tribute Books which is an up-and-coming small publishing house.  They have had much success with "Stanley the Seagull," and we should look for more success from them in the future as they choose interesting books and fine authors to support.

To read more about Stanley and his authors, please go to:

http://stanleyseagull.blogspot.com/

5 stars for a sweet book with important messages!

Grammie Bee

"Puppet Play: 20 Puppet Projects Made w/ Recycled Mittens, Towels, Socks.."~Lots of Stuff to Love!

Published by:  Andrews McMeel Publishing

Pages:  168

Genre:  Children's, Arts & Crafts, Home and Garden, YA



Book Information :

Have fun and go green with Diana Schoenbrun's Puppet Play: 20 Puppet Projects Made with Recycled Mittens, Towels, Socks, and More. A puppet builder, an illustrator, and an author, Schoenbrun presents 20 puppet projects made with recycled materials easily found around the house.
A lonely sock becomes a wizard puppet. A glove without a mate turns into five little pig puppets. And that tired dishtowel transforms into a lively banjo player puppet—all at very little cost. Diana Schoenbrun's easy-to-follow directions are accompanied by how-to illustrations. Also included are full-color photographs of puppets, as well as a chapter that guides children through creating and presenting their own puppet show. So, the next time the dryer eats a single sock, get crafty, go green, and go play with Puppet Play.


Grammie's Word on Puppets :

There's nothing that builds family memories more than making and playing with puppets!  I recall some little boys; a knight in shining armor, a dragon; and a big sister who was the damsel in distress!  They've never forgotten, either. 

This darling book will delight children and parents alike with its simple directions for making puppets with recycled toss-aways.  Socks are particularly fun with their mix of bold colors and crazy patterns.  Young ones can easily use markers, children's scissors and fancy ribbons tied on to decorate.

Teens will get some ideas for fun projects, as well.  This book offers everyone a chance to make darling puppets for fund-raisers and charity projects.


I say this is a great book for families and older children to use any time; it's also perfect for special occasions like Halloween, birthdays, Christmas, and rainy days.

Grammie Bee gives this book 4 bees for all around fun and flexibility.


*Do you have any good ideas to share about puppet-making?


Hugs,
Grammie Bee

Fancy Nancy "Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day" by Jane O'Connor & Robin Preiss Glasser

Published by:  Harper Collins Publishers

Ages:  4-7

Pages: 30

Dust Jacket & Fully Illustrated Book Cover

Grammie Bee's Buzz :

Ooh La La!  Nancy has gotten very fancy once again and has created a beauty spa for her mom to help celebrate her birthday.  Daddy is taking her mom out for dinner, so Nancy is going to help her become beautiful for their date.

In her own perfectly fancy way, Fancy Nancy goes over the top and has loads of fun with face masks, nail polishes, and hair products, etc...  All these to the delight of the darling girls in your lives, I feel sure!

My little grands Hadley and Ella are just the age for these little Fancy Nancy books.  Hadley loves them!  Since her mommy's birthday is in November, it's the perfect time to make sure Hadley gets a copy, too.

One thing that makes this book fun for moms as well as fancy little girls is that Ms's O'Connor and Glasser have included the nifftiest recipes and craft instructions for you.

These include a face mask recipe, fruit & yogurt parfait, how to make a braid and others.

Fun, fun!

Bring your little one to see the videos of Fancy Nancy and this book on my sidebar.  

And, please let us know if you have purchased this already for your little one, and how they like it.

Grammie gives 5 bees to this brilliant book!