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After seeing the moon in the 2017 North American Eclipse, two new kid lit lunar tales just happened to land in my lap at the same time. LOL.... it’s a sign, so I’m penning a 2-fer review for you here. 
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title: Maxy-Moo Flies to the Moon | Author Julie Schooler Julie Schooler I illustrator Catty Flores | Publication Date: July 2017 | Publisher: BoomerMax, Ltd | Pages: 19 | Recommended Ages: 3-7
* Amazon *
What parents will like: The book’s format engages the reader with Flores’ bright art in primary colors and Schooler’s quirky rhymes on facing pages. This quick read also introduces young readers to different animals Maxy encounters, a learning opportunity for kids to identify different critters. Another great teachable moment: the animals get along with each other despite their differences! Best, Maxy flies home, sleepy and ready for bed (HINT for your young reader: time to turn out the lights!).
My recommendation
5 Meows 
Julie Schooler's Maxy-Moo Flies to the Moon delights with colorful art and zippy rhymes. It's perfect for learning about animals and bedtime reading for preschoolers to first graders.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
Title: Little Katie Goes to the Moon | Author, Illustrator Carmela Dutra | Publication Date: June 2016 | Publisher: Pegasus Pony | Pages: 39 | Recommended Ages: 5-9 * Amazon *
What parents will like: The story is a good mix of dialogue and narrative that keeps children and YOU engaged. A kid-friendly glossary of technical terms at the end of the book offers opportunities to extend and reinforce learning. And three cheers for a tale aimed at getting girls interested in science! A word about formatting: I prefer a more-traditional font instead of the stylized, all upper-case lettering selected for this book; however, I was unable to change the font on my digital copy. A simpler font would make reading easier for those with visual impairments/learning challenges and model what young readers practice in school.
My recommendation
4.5 Meows 
Carmela Dutra’s Little Katie Goes to the Moon mixes fun, fiction, and facts for beginning readers in grades K-3. This chapter book especially appeals to teachers for use in a science unit, for girls as a career model, and to all children interested in astronomy.
Disclosure: I was given advance review copies of these book and wish to share an honest, unbiased opinion of my reading experience. Cat Michaels, M.S., Ed.
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Picture Book Review - Time for Bed with Ford and red Takes Kids on Adventure, Journey to Imagination9/3/2017
How can a bedtime tale for little ones be soothing, fun, and exciting all at the same time? Jacqueline Leigh pulls it off in her beautifully crafted debut picture book, Time for Bed with Ford and Red. On a personal note, I am always delighted when a fellow North Carolina writer crafts a lovely kid lit tale.
About the Book
Title: Time for Bed with Ford and Red | Author Jacqueline Leigh | Illustrator Mackenzie Fink | Publication Date: July 2017 | Publisher: Mascot Publishing | Pages: 32 |
Recommended Ages: 3-8 * Amazon US *
Meet Ford and his stuffed rabbit bedtime companion, Red. It’s bedtime, and they lie in bed together to dream of adventures paired as a dynamic duo: cowboys riding the prairie; divers exploring under the sea; heroes soaring with eagles; and more. After each adventure, they return to bed to imagine another next kid-friendly escapade.
Leigh uses four-line, lyrical rhyming arcs across two pages to describe Ford and Red’s adventures. She concludes each escapade with catchy concluding wisdom:
“What happens next
in the world we dream? Just close your eyes, I bet it’s extreme.”
You just know kids will be reading along about dreams in the extreme! Another perfect match: 
Mackenzie Fink’s muted illustrations lift the story’s tone of gentle imagination.
The artist’s soft colors highlight each adventure, yet they return the characters to their bedroom. Her muted blue-grays, bowns and dark-toned drawings of a starlight sky, where animals the characters encounter shine in their own constellations, are outstanding. What Parents Will Like Prepare to be charmed by the art and sleepy-time action in this sweet read. Adults might wish to role-play Ford’s exploits with their young readers and even encourage young ones to come up with their own adventures. Perhaps best of all, the plot resets after each quest to Ford and Red, who are always ready for bed. Yep, the book encourages kids to imagine, fall asleep, and dream, with a perfect bedtime mantra: 
"So you see, Lots can happen When daytime ends, As we doze and dream."
Recommendation 5 Meows 
I highly recommend Jacqueline Leigh's Time for Bed with Ford and Red for preschool through second-grade. This charming blend of story, characters, and illustrations is sure to become a bedtime favorite with your young readers.
Disclosure: I was given an advance review copy of this book and wish to share my honest, unbias reading experience. Cat Michaels, M.S., Ed. Thanks for stopping by. Like what you see? Don’t miss a post! Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.
Join the fun * Join Cat's tribe! Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff Be in the know with Cat's What's Up e-newsletter ************************************************* Just for new tribe members.... Kids: have a grown-up download FREE printables based on Cat’s books Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings |
 Cat MichaelsBlogging about books, writing, family life, travel and more good stuff. Meet Cat
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