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How Lucky Am I? by Brittney Spencer (Book Review)


A tender affirmation of love and gratitude for a new child.

A new baby is a beautiful wonder for all parents, effectuating a love they never knew possible. How Lucky Am I? is a precious rhyming story that relays the anticipation, adoration, and thanksgiving for a cherished child.

The reader is taken through a variety of poignant scenes including a parent’s contemplation of her baby’s upcoming arrival, the wonder of her new child, and the joy of cherishing each day and milestone as he or she grows. Cheerful and lightsome illustrations evoke the happiness of the story. A rhyming text and repetitive title phrase make the book a delightful read-aloud.

As we lie in our hammock
Counting stars in the sky,
I quietly whisper,
“How lucky am I?”

Evocative of special occasion classics such as Guess How Much I Love You, Pat the Bunny, and Love You Forever, Brittney Spencer’s How Lucky Am I is an inspirational and loving story for families to read together.

Why readers love How Lucky Am I?:

  • A perfect keepsake for any gift-giving milestone such as a baby shower, birth of a baby, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, or simply to share a loving message.
  • Parents and children alike will relate to and take comfort in this love note for a child. Perfect for little readers ages 0-6.
  • The story is relatable for grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Inclusive for all families.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

We, meaning parents, want our child(ren) to start their life healthy. Even before birth, we count down the days until we meet them. The closer we come to the due date nervousness and excitement are coursing our body. When we see our baby on the screen or in person for the first time, we instinctively count their fingers and toes. We also ask, “Are they okay?”

When my children were born, I would stare at them for hours, amazed they were here, in person, with me. I would sniff their head, loving that new baby smell. I would watch them sleep and smile when they did an involuntary grin.

As they grew, we made many memories together. I enjoyed every one of their firsts: crawl, step, word, eating table food, etc. Like the mother in How Lucky Am I? by Brittney Spencer, I felt blessed to have this little person in my life and experience the world through their inquisitive eyes.

When my children were born, I wrote them a letter stating (roughly) the things the author wrote about in their story: “may your dreams all come true” and I’ll always support you.” Children need food, clothing, and shelter, but they want their parent’s love and support. I can tell the author loves her child very much. You are both blessed to have one another.

As wonderful as this story is, and it truly is, the illustrations elevated it to another level. Christina Michalos’s lovely images made me reflect upon all the moments I’ve shared with my children. We also have a hammock and lounge it in on cooler nights.

How Lucky Am I? by Brittney Spencer would make an excellent baby shower gift. It would also make a wonderful gift to a child with a new sibling joining the house soon.

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

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About the Author

For children’s book author Brittney Spencer, writing poems was an outlet to express how she felt during times of both hardship and joy. When her daughter was born, she was inspired to create a story that celebrates the wonder of a new child and their bond with a parent.

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What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas TOO by Roni Robbins (Book Review)

This rhyming read and seek story is based on the 12 Days of Christmas carol. From twelve drummers drumming to one partridge in a pear tree, children will enjoy finding ten things wrong in each of these Christmas scenes. There are things to do and see. “But something is wrong. Or is it just me?”

Searching through our beautiful illustrations introduces basic skills children can build upon as they learn and grow. Read and seek books stimulates the child’s brain as they evaluate and determine things out of place. It enhances critical thinking, vocabulary, memory and builds their cognitive skills.

Don’t forget read and seek books just adds a little more fun to reading as they look, point and try to find all things wrong, out of place, or just silly in these Christmas scenes. The bright colors and interactive story grabs the child’s attention and entertains them away from screens. They are a form of fun that can be portable and does not require charging, batteries or cords. This entertaining read-and-seek book is perfect for engaging with young readers but great for all ages.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas Too by DJ and Roni Robbins is an interactive story loosely based on the “12 Days of Christmas” song. I love interactive books because they allow my children to be engrossed in the happenings, not just sitting there as I read them a story. Seek/find and spot the difference books are household favorites. 

What’s Wrong with This Picture? 12 Days Before Christmas Too had a blend of easy and more challenging out-of-place items for a child to locate. If they get stumped, there is an answer key in the back of the book. The answer key wasn’t consistent in design, though. Some answers were colored in black, and some were outlined in red. Other answer cards had mistakes circled, then ones blackened and circled. Every answer card was mainly black and white except for “8 Maids -a- Milking,” which was in full color. I would suggest making them the same style. 

My kiddos were confused about how many mistakes they had to find on each image. Maybe making a small note under each photo will clear up confusion. 

From a design point of view, I like the creative ways the team wrote the various days of Christmas. Example: wrench in place of an “i’s” and words in different script sizes, fonts, and colors. These small touches made the words pop off the pages. 

When I submitted my review to Reedsy, I didn’t have a baseline for the author’s recommended audience. I would target preschoolers and elementary school-age children for the hands-on activity. The text is not difficult to understand, so elementary students should be able to read the book solo. I only recall one word that might prove confusing to young minds: infinity. But, this is a great time to broaden their vocabulary. 

Review submitted to Reedsy on 8/8/22. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 

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Meet the Author

DJ and Roni Robbins is a mom and son author team, writing fun and easy to read children’s books for early readers. Roni, married 25+ years with 2 adult children, 2 grand daughters and a 5 year old son DJ, who was the inspiration for their first published book. DJ likes buildings and hot wheels.

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Undercover Elf by Cydnee Brady (Book Review)

The son of an Undercover Elf discovers his mom’s secret job and finds out who her boss is. He learns about all the work Elves do to make sure Santa is ready for his ride on Christmas Eve and is happy to show the world how to identify and Undercover Elf out in the everyday world.

The magic of Christmas through a child’s eyes is one of the greatest joys to watch, and through this tale you and your children will be able to learn more about Santa. Kids can ask some really tough questions about Santa, and as a parent, have you ever been at a loss as to how to answer? Undercover Elf is here to assist with those tricky questions and enhance the excitement of the holiday for you and your child!

Keep the magic going throughout the year by trying to find Undercover Elves out and about in the real world!

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Moms wear a lot of job hats when managing a household. Depending on what needs handling, they put on their imaginary work hat and get to business. They prepare meals (chef), mend holes or sew costumes (seamstress), tend to boo-boo (doctor/nurse), and help with schoolwork (teacher). They also fix broken gadgets, wash clothes, clean the home, save kids from creepy crawlies, etc. I want to note that fathers also wear a lot of hats in the house, but since this is a book about moms, I want to focus on them. 

Around the holidays, moms put on a special hat. They put on their elf hat and assist Santa in making the holiday goes off without a hitch. Yup, Santa has helpers all around the world, not just in his workshop at the North Pole. 

Cydnee Brady does give clues to help a child discover if the parent is an elf or not. Be ready to have your ears looked at very closely. I think before I share this story with my youngest, I will purchase elf or Vulcan ears. I can’t wait to see their reaction!

Mom, the undercover elf, is Santa’s helper in many ways. They help with family pets, track weather patterns, and much more. With all the work this mom does, I bet she’s always on the NICE list. 

I know children, who still believe in Santa, will love this story. It was so cute. The pictures were quite lovely. 

The illustrations were not cartoony or picture-perfect computer graphics. They reminded me of colored-in coloring sheets. Well done, Chuck Sirko, Noah Spencer, and Mason Spencer (illustration team). 

If the author has any blank coloring sheets available, I would suggest offering those as a promotional piece. 

I agree with Amazon’s recommended reading age, 3 – 5 years.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Meet the Author

Children’s book author Cydnee Brady has always had a flair for words. Over the course of her kids’ childhoods, she added layers to an imaginative and festive story about being one of Santa’s elves, adding excited anticipation to his impending arrival—and instantly believed! Once her grandchildren were born, the story spread to a new generation, and now through her newly published picture book, Undercover Elf, to be shared with children everywhere.

Cydnee believes a great children’s book is one that you can get lost in, where you are in another world that you escape to for a time. She hopes that her story gives families together time and brings happiness and joy that reminds them all year around of the magic of Christmas and Santa, long after the book is closed.

When she isn’t writing humorous holiday stories, Cydnee works as a financial analyst for the Volvo Group, enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren, two kids, and husband of thirty-five years, Dean. She likes to sew, cook, and travel. Cydnee and Dean live with their four dogs in the country in Gibsonville, North Carolina. Undercover Elf is her debut picture book.

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Holiday Ever After: One Snowy Night, Holiday Wishes & Mistletoe in Paradise by Jill Shalvis (Book Showcase)

Three fan-favorite Jill Shalvis novellas are together for the first time in this holiday anthology!

 

One Snowy Night

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to her family. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, her long-time crush, and his big, goofy, lovable dog. A long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past…and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

 

Holiday Wishes

When Sean O’Riley shows up for his older brother’s bachelor weekend, the last person he expected to see is Lotti Hartford, the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago. As the weekend continues, Sean realizes he wants to leave his hook-up life behind, but can he convince Lotti to open her heart to him again?

 

Mistletoe in Paradise

Years after their secret fling ended, Hannah isn’t eager to see James during their families’ annual joint holiday-themed yacht adventure. But when they’re the only people who show up, James and Hannah are stuck together on the high seas for days. As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize the best things in life can’t be planned, and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around. 

 

 

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Be a Superhero in the Kitchen by Donna Glass (Children’s Book Showcase)

 

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Super Chefs’ Creations!

 

Let your child try their hand with the recipes in this book.

Every kid who becomes the superhero of suppertime is one who eats super well!

 

Kindle
Print Purchase Link

 

 

 

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