Tag Archives: rhyming book

The Train Rolls On To The North Pole by Jodi Adams (Book Review)

The Animal Express train is back, and it’s more determined than ever!

The Animal Express
has got a new goal-
to transport eight reindeer
back to the North Pole!

It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa’s reindeer have spent the day getting pampered at an Arctic spa in preparation for their annual journey around the world. Now, the Animal Express races the clock to return the reindeer to the North Pole before Santa’s departure. Will they arrive in time to guide Santa’s sleigh? The train encounters several wintery obstacles along the way, but…THE TRAIN ROLLS ON!

This book is a timeless tale of perseverance and working together as a team to overcome obstacles.With its rhyming text, memorable refrain, and stunning illustrations, this exciting holiday train adventure is sure to resonate with children and adults alike!

This Book Is Perfect For…

  • Fans of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg and
    Santa and the Goodnight Train by June Sobel
  • Gifting to young train-lovers
  • Reading any time of the day
  • Reading aloud in the classroom, library, or at home
  • Engaging toddlers and students in preschool, kindergarten, and lower-elementary grades (ages 3-6)
  • Teaching perseverance and teamwork concepts
  • Promoting vocabulary and language development
  • Christmas book events and collections

Book Features:

Catchy, Rhyming Text – Rhymes help children predict language patterns and develop other critical language and reading skills. They also promote memory and rhythm development in a fun and exciting way.

Memorable Refrain – “The train rolls on!” is a powerful catchphrase that is ripe to become a go-to saying for kids and their caregivers when they need to persevere through difficult situations.

Eye-Catching Illustrations – The train and its passengers are expertly-rendered, and each has a unique personality that shines through on the page.

Glossary – This resource provides simple definitions for 17 words used throughout the book and is intended to help children enhance their vocabulary with each and every read.

Look and Find – Children will enjoy searching for the cardinal that accompanies the train in every illustration!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

Christmas is a favorite holiday for lots of children around the world. Reading Christmas books at bedtime is a common pastime in many homes. The general idea of them is Santa delivering presents, but The Train Rolls On To The North Pole by Jodi Adams is not like the stories you’ve read before. 

“It’s Christmas Eve, and Santa’s reindeer have spent the day getting pampered at an Arctic spa in preparation for their annual journey around the world. Now, the Animal Express races the clock to return the reindeer to the North Pole before Santa’s departure. Will they arrive in time to guide Santa’s sleigh? The train encounters several wintery obstacles along the way, but…THE TRAIN ROLLS ON!”

The opening images of the famous reindeer enjoying a spa day were hilarious. Kids will giggle at the animals getting massages and pedicures. The train with the big eyes reminded me of Thomas the Train. They didn’t have the same coloring, but it’s the first thing that popped into my head when I saw it. 

The Animal Express battles the elements to see Santa’s helpers home safely. Blizzard-like conditions are not ideal traveling conditions, no matter what transportation you use. These conditions lead to a pivotal scene that might make your youngster yell, “Oh no!” The troublesome situation calls for teamwork, and the joint effort saves the day! 

The Train Rolls On To The North Pole by Jodi Adams is a perfect story for those who celebrate Christmas. Many age groups can and will find enjoyment in the story. Since many toddlers recognize Santa and his flying reindeer, they can easily enjoy the photos. By the way, the illustrations were spectacular. The cover instantly caught my eye, and I know it will also capture little kids’ eyes. 

If you want your child to understand the text, I would suggest reading this to three-year-olds and older. I want to note the author was thoughtful in creating a glossary. I would utilize it because some of the words in this book may be new to your child. 

 

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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

About the Author

Jodi Adams is a former Crime Scene Investigator turned stay-at-home mom and children’s book author. When she is not reading or writing, Jodi loves to cook and bake, run, golf, and spend time with her family. She grew up in Iowa but now lives in Omaha, NE, with her husband and two kids.

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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.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

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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