HEATHER PIERCE STIGALL
  • Books
    • Paisley's Big Birthday
  • About
    • Meet Heather
    • Press Kit
  • Appearances
  • Resources
    • For Writers
    • For Educators & Readers
  • Ramblings & Reviews
  • Contact

REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL TEA DAY!

4/21/2022

0 Comments

 
​Did you know that April 21st was chosen as National Tea Day because it’s also Queen Elizabeth’s birthday? Happy birthday, Your Majesty! We can celebrate today’s holiday by pouring a cup of our favorite tea and curling up with a good book. Of course, I have a book recommendation that’s perfect for National Tea Day: 
Picture
​TITLE: TERRANCE THE HOTHEAD
AUTHOR: Lisa Cloherty
ILLUSTRATOR: Alex Lopez
PUBLISHER: ASHA Press/2022
OPENING LINES: 
 
“Terrance Teapot, you’re my little hothead,” Granny Kettle whistled.
“You’re always blowin’ your lid over small problems.”
But things never felt small to Terrance. They always felt big and hot.
Terrance Teapot tends to blow his lid over seemingly small problems, but they don’t seem small to Terrance. This story is about how Terrance works to understand his emotions and regulate his reactions to situations throughout a typical day, and how he becomes closer to making a new friend. Readers will enjoy the bright and engaging illustrations, clever tea puns, and relatable storyline. Caregivers will appreciate the book’s themes that are conveyed in an entertaining way, as well as the extensive back matter which includes key terms, questions to “help children relate to the emotional development of the characters” in the story, activity worksheet, and more. If you’re looking for a fun book that addresses emotional identification and regulation, this is the one for you!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Did you read and like this book? 
One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon!
0 Comments

REVIEW: PASSOVER & THE FIRST SEDER BEGIN TONIGHT

4/15/2022

0 Comments

 
​When the pandemic of 2020 shut almost everything down, people’s lives were affected world-wide. Sheltering in place meant isolating away from relatives and friends which not only affected day-to-day living, but how people honored holiday traditions and celebrations. This picture book is about how a girl finds a new way to honor her Passover traditions that brings community together, despite being apart: 



TITLE: ALONE TOGETHER ON DAN STREET

AUTHOR: Erica Lyons

ILLUSTRATOR: Jen Jamieson

PUBLISHER: Apples & Honey Press/2022

OPENING LINES: 
 
It was the year the singing stopped.
The streets across Jerusalem were silent.
The Western Wall plaza was empty.
The shops on Jaffa Road were shuttered.
Picture
This is the heartwarming story of Mira, who lives in an apartment building in Jerusalem when a virus breakout causes a shut-down. Mira watches the seasons go by from her apartment balcony, missing school, playdates, synagogue, and, her favorite, art class. When Passover approaches, she begins to think about all the others on her street who will be alone during the holiday, and finds a way for no one to feel lonely, even though they are apart. Erica Lyons’ emotional text paired with Jen Jamieson’s charming illustrations will tug on your heartstrings. Young readers of today will identify with Mia’s sense of loss and loneliness brought on by the pandemic, but readers of tomorrow will have a clearer understanding of what it was like to live through a global shut-down. Through a specific setting, holiday, and event, this book addresses general themes of loneliness, community, kindness, and generosity that will have a broad appeal to all readers. Lovely read!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Did you read and like this book? 
One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon!
0 Comments

REVIEW: HAPPY ALL IS OURS DAY!

4/8/2022

0 Comments

 
I think it’s important to empower and encourage children in their pursuits. All can be theirs! Here’s a picture book that does just that: 
Picture
​

TITLE: THIS COULD BE YOU

AUTHOR: Cindy William Schrauben

ILLUSTRATOR: Julia Seal

PUBLISHER: Cardinal Rules Press/2022

OPENING LINES: 
 
Who pursues their top dreams,
their never-ever-stop dreams,
persist-until-they-drop dreams?
Believe. It could be you!
This picture book is all about empowering and encouraging children to dream, explore, and more! Cindy William Schrauben’s rollicking rhyme paired with Julia Seal’s darling illustrations will engage young readers from the start. Though this story conveys a powerful message (encouraging children to engage in a growth mindset), it doesn’t do so in a preachy way. The book includes back matter explaining the concept and examples of growth mindset as well as potential questions grownups can use to generate discussion with their young ones. I was particularly impressed with Schrauben’s expertly written rhyme and Seal’s diverse illustrations, which represent children of different races, genders, cultures, religions, and abilities. If you’re looking for a feel-good book that empowers children in a fun and colorful way, this is the book for you!
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Did you read and like this book? 
One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon
0 Comments

REVIEW: RAMADAN MUBARAK

4/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Ramadan is a month-long observance when Muslims fast, attend prayer sessions, spend time with their family, and give to those in need. This picture book, about a girl who wishes for a sister, takes place during Ramadan: 
​

TITLE: ZAHRA’S BLESSING: A RAMADAN STORY

AUTHOR: Shirin Shamsi

ILLUSTRATOR: Manal Mirza

PUBLISHER: Barefoot Books/2022

OPENING LINES: 
 
The silver moon hung like a sideways smile.
 
“It’s the Ramadan moon, Teddy,” Zahra whispered. “Mama says blessings are all around us during this month. Maybe Ramadan will bring a sister for me. And we’ll make crescent cookies together.”
 
A prayer rose from Zahra’s heart like a sigh and floated up into the starry sky.
Picture
During this year’s Ramadan season, Zahra prays she will be blessed with a sister. Then, when her beloved teddy bear goes missing, she adds finding Teddy to her prayers. But when she befriends a young girl at a shelter for asylum seekers, Zahra finds herself more grateful than ever for her blessings. This book combines several evergreen topics (child wishing for a sibling, loss of a loved toy, family traditions) with a holiday (Ramadan), universal themes (gratitude, blessings, helping those less fortunate), and does so with lyrical language, colorful illustrations, informative backmatter, and heart. Lots of heart. Bravo to Shamsi and Mirza for creating a beautiful book centered on a Muslim family and holiday that all children will enjoy.
 
Read this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Did you read and like this book? 
One of the best ways to support authors and illustrators is to post reviews for their books. Support an author/illustrator today by leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon
0 Comments

    About Heather

    Heather is a busy wife and mom of five rambunctious children and one lovable pup They all provide lots of distractions, but oodles of inspiration.  Sometimes the pictures and ideas in her head turn into her own children's stories, but she always makes time to read other people's books. Sometimes she reviews them here.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Books
    • Paisley's Big Birthday
  • About
    • Meet Heather
    • Press Kit
  • Appearances
  • Resources
    • For Writers
    • For Educators & Readers
  • Ramblings & Reviews
  • Contact