Crafty Moms Share

Happy Birthday to US! Book Review & Giveaway

2026-04-20T06:00:00.099-04:00

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Sherry Ellis to bring you this post.

This year is a special year for the United States. It marks the 250th birthday of our country! The day this post is published is Patriots' Day in Massachusetts. That means this long weekend there will be re-enactments of the battles in Lexington and Concord. And as any Bostonian knows, the Boston Marathon will be run. Yesterday was the official 251st anniversary of the "shot heard around the world." Today we are sharing a fun and patriotic book about a boy whose birthday is July 4th. The book is Happy Birthday to US! by Sherry Ellis and illustrated by Nina Hvozdzeva. Throughout the post there will be links to some fun patriotic crafts and activities and at the end there is a giveaway!!

Yes! No. Maybe? Three Little Words That Change Everything -- Book Review & Giveaway

2026-04-17T06:00:00.079-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. This post is sponsored by Barbara A. Berger.

Yes. No. Maybe. Three words that have so much meaning and power. They are the options on an evite. They are the answers to so many questions. "Did you do it?" "Do you have it?" "Do you agree?" "Do you understand?" Today we are going to share a book that tells us how those three little words can change everything. The book is Yes! No. Maybe? Three Little Words That Change Everything by Barbara A. Berger, PCC and illustrated by Brent Pettit. At the end of this post is a giveaway!

New Picture Books About Accepting to Oneself

2026-04-16T06:00:00.121-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever noticed an animal that doesn't seem to realize what animal it actually is? Or perhaps you have noticed an animal that seems the wrong size for the type it is. Animals just like people have personalities. They show up in so many different ways. I know I see it in my pets. Today we are sharing two newly released picture books about animals who are uniquely themselves. The first book is Gigantic by Rob Biddulph. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

New Fun Graphic Novels

2026-04-15T06:00:00.168-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you read for fun? Do your kids? According to a flyer shared with one of the books: "Reading for fun in the US has fallen by nearly 40 percent!" For many kids reading has become a chore. It is not fun when you don't get to read what you want. For reluctant readers and others graphic novels bring some of the fun back to reading. Today we are sharing two middle grade novels that are fun and interesting and even have some facts in them! The first is A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat. This book is recommended for ages 6 to 10 and is the first in a series.

Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians -- a Picture Book Review & Giveaway

2026-04-14T06:00:00.153-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. This post is sponsored by Lauren H. Kerstein.

Did you know that National Library Week is officially April 19 to April 26 this year? Have you ever thought about the importance of the library? It serves so many purposes for different people from a place to be able to read books for free to a place to use the internet for free as well as a place with heat or air conditioning in different weather. I know some people argue that we do not need the public libraries now that we have digital books and more, but I disagree. I think libraries serve more purposes than ever before. It can be a children's program that helps the new parents or new to the town kids meet others. It can be where the unemployed go to look for new jobs and possibly even get help with their resume. There are many services libraries serve and today we are going to look at a book that shares a very different library service in a different time. The book is Hope Rode: The Promise of the Packhorse Librarians by Lauren H. Kerstein and illustrated by Becca Stadtlander. After my review is a giveaway!!

Barbed Wire Between Us -- Picture Book Review

2026-04-13T06:00:00.047-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

April is poetry month and today we are going to share a book written in reverso poetry. They say history repeats itself and today's book illustrates this in a powerful way. The book is Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Violeta Encarnación. It is recommended for ages 7 to 12.

Books to Gift This Spring & Beyond!

2026-04-12T06:00:00.086-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these products in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Spring brings many gift giving times. There are the holidays--Mother's Day and Father's Day, graduations, weddings, new babies and more. Today we are sharing some fun books for gifts for these occasions (Father's Day ideas will come later). We will start with ideas for Mother's Day. The first book is a board book. It is World's Best Mom by Lynn Giunta. The recommended ages are 0 to 3.

The Traitor Moth -- Middle Grade Fantasy Novel

2026-04-11T10:13:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It has been a while since I have shared a middle grade book. Today we are sharing a newly released fantasy middle grade novel. It is the first book in a series. The book is The Traitor Moth by Katharine Orton. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Fun & Informative Books for the Youngest Readers

2026-04-07T06:00:00.080-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Spring has sprung and that gets everyone thinking about outside. Today we are sharing two newly released books with outdoor ties. One is a peek-through board book about bugs and the other is a picture book that is perfect for bedtime! We will start with the board book. It is Bugs by Britta Teckentrup. It is recommended for ages 0 to 3.

Japanese Haiku for Cat Lovers

2026-04-06T06:00:00.036-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

April is here and that means National Poetry Month is here! Today we are sharing a new poetry book with you all about cats!! It is a book full of haiku about cats. If you don't know what a haiku is, it is a Japanese poem. The book for today is Japanese Haiku for Cat Lovers complied and illustrated by Manda and translated and introduced by William Scott Wilson. This is a perfect book for cat lovers as well as poetry lovers!

Unbelievably Cute Origami -- Crafty Sunday Review

2026-04-05T14:37:00.001-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As I mentioned earlier last week, I have been on an origami kick since my geometry students just finished their origami project. Today I get to share the most adorable origami book with you. It was released last week!! It is Unbelievably Cute Origami: Kawaii Models with Photo & Video Instructions by Tatsukuri Origami. This is a book for different ages from tween through adult!

Mom-Themed Picture Books with a Flower Craft Roundup

2026-04-03T06:00:00.171-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

April showers bring May flowers. May flowers are perfect for Mom for Mother's Day! Today we are sharing two newly released mom-themed picture books and one of them is about flowers, so we are including a flower craft roundup! Each book is a wonderful reminder of how important mom is to kids. The first book is When We Were Snails by Nan Cao. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Inbetweens -- Tween Graphic Novel Review

2026-04-02T11:36:00.002-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ever wonder what it is like to be a twin? What happens when you and your twin follow your shared dream and it isn't what either of you expected? Today we are sharing a new tween graphic novel that explores this. The book is Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.

Rescue Clickity Clack -- Book Review & Giveaway with Crab Craft Roundup

2026-03-30T06:00:00.177-04:00

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Debra Pehrson Haun. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

As spring approaches, thoughts of summer adventures do as well. That always brings me to thoughts of the beach. When Hazel was younger, I loved finding books about the beach and ocean creatures around this time of year to get us thinking about our summer plans. Today I get to share a fun picture book about a crab, and it is interactive!! The book is Rescue Clickity Clack by Debra Pehrson Haun. At the end of this post is a crab craft roundup to go with the book and a giveaway!!

BBC Pride and Prejudice: The Official Coloring Book -- a Relaxing Friday Review

2026-03-27T06:00:00.062-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is Friday again!! Time for a relaxing Friday review. Today's is a new coloring book released this week and it is based on a classic novel and play. Do you like Pride and Prejudice? If you do then this book is for you! It is BBC Pride and Prejudice: The Official Coloring Book illustrated by Charlotte Rickards. It is an adult coloring book.

Sister to Sister -- Book Review

2026-03-26T06:00:00.032-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sisters have a special relationship. Sometimes they drive each other crazy. There can be yelling, fighting, crying. Then the next day they are there when you need them even when no one else shows up. It is a special bond that reminds you of who you are and where you come from. Today we are sharing a book that honors sisterhood including ones from another mister. The book is Sister to Sister by Molly Reade. It is a perfect gift for the sisters in your life!

Go Bananas! -- Silly Picture Book to Cheer Up the Reader

2026-03-25T06:00:00.033-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go right or perhaps a day where your young one cannot find anything to be happy about? Today we are sharing a fun and silly new picture book that will have even the grumpiest child giggling and smiling. The book is Go Bananas! by A.B. Peele and illustrated by Lala Watkins. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Picture Books About Finding and Being True to Oneself

2026-03-24T06:00:00.026-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

I love springtime. Everything comes back to life including our picture books. Today we are sharing two newly released picture books about finding oneself and staying true to oneself. The first book is Who Are You? by Claire Keane. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 and is a wonderful book for springtime and getting outside!

Danny Can Read / Danny Sabe Leer -- Bilingual Picture Book Review & Giveaway

2026-03-23T06:00:00.040-04:00

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Children grow and develop at different rates. Skills and abilities develop in their own time even in twins. Today we get to share a fun bilingual, Spanish and English, that shares this concept and that we each have our own talents. The book is Danny Can Read / Danny Sabe Leer by Diana Paola Navarro Gómez and illustrated by Carmen Bianco. And there is a giveaway at the end of this post!

Small Crafts to Make While Traveling

2026-03-22T16:54:00.001-04:00

I had two weeks of spring break a couple weeks ago and one thing I discovered is I really want a craft to do when I'm on vacation. My first week of vacation I went to the Cape Cod house alone and knew I would want a project to work on while I watched television. The second week Steve and I went to Florida. I wanted to have something to work on at night and perhaps on the airplane. During a trip to the Cape house in December, I brought a small diamond painting project. While we watched television at night or when I had a break in the day, worked on my project. It was this small project with cute polar bears.

Paint by Sticker: Architecture -- a Relaxing Friday Review

2026-03-20T06:00:00.047-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Did you have a sticker book when you were a child? Or a sticker collection? I loved stickers when I was young. Hazel did too. I find my students still love stickers even as high school students. A while ago I noticed Paint by Sticker books. I saw them first for children. I thought they were interesting but didn't give them much thought. I saw them come out with more complex ones for adults. This was during the big rise of adult coloring. I had so many coloring books I didn't spend the money on the sticker books. However, I jumped at the opportunity to review one for today. It was released this week. It is Paint by Sticker (Official): Architecture by Workman Publishing. This is not one of the kids versions but one for adults or young adults.

Mama Won't Mind -- Picture Book Review

2026-03-19T06:00:00.076-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What is special to a mother on her birthday? If a gift from a child is not what she expected, does she mind? Today we are sharing a sweet book about the special bond between mother and child. The book is Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Lulu Didn't Want a Dog -- Picture Book Review

2026-03-18T06:00:00.041-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have cats and dogs? Do they get along? We all know the old saying about them being enemies, but we also know plenty of people who have both and they get along. Today we are sharing a book about a cat and dog becoming friends. The book is Lulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Mother Tree -- Picture Book Review

2026-03-17T06:00:00.070-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Earth Day is coming. People often try different crafts and such to celebrate with kids. I like books that help us teach kids about nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a new picture book about the relationship between trees. The book is called The Mother Tree by Sybil Rosen and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Music of the Bells -- Picture Book Review

2026-03-16T06:00:00.041-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book that shares a story of a young girl combining her family culture with her new society culture. It teaches about Kathak, a classical form of Indian dance. The book is Music of the Bells by Anitha Rao-Robinson and illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.