Crafty Moms Share

Products for Gifting and Crafting -- Craft Sunday Review

2026-10-04T15:18:41.681-04:00

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

With 82 days until Christmas, it is time to start thinking about gifts you may want to create and is also a great time to start shopping. Afte all Amazon and Target are having BIG sales this week and purchasing now helps spread out some of the cost of the holidays. Today we are going to share five different products that make good gifts and also can be used to create gifts! I am going to share some different ideas but first a quick story of my inspiration. One of my friends has been working on a nook in her house. She found some photo for inspiration and was buying things for it. She was looking for the right size pillow for it and some wall art. Everything had to be blue or blue and ivory. We went shopping last weekend and were looking at pillows and pictures. Then I came home and started playing with these products to create the pictures for her. I bought some frames from Dollar Tree and painted two of them blue. So those two pictures she was looking for are the inspiration for much of this post! Let's start out with a product that makes a good gift (and I wouldn't use to craft until next year). It is the Colonial Williamsburg Blue and White American Style Wall Calendar 2027 by Workman Calendars and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Art Life Practice: The Guided Sketchbook -- A Relaxing Friday Review

2026-10-02T14:12:48.307-04:00

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

Do you like to sketch? It can be so relaxing. So can doodling. Have you ever wondered how to become a better artist? Personally, I love to sketch and doodle but am not much of an artist when it comes to drawing. My students on the other hand have been amazing artists, and sketching was something that truly relaxes them. So, for today's Relaxing Friday post we are sharing an interesting and informative book about sketching and art. The book is Art Life Practice: The Guided Sketchbook by Berry Stein. This is not a children's book however tweens and teens may enjoy it as well as many adults.

Picture Books About Finding & Sharing the Best Parts of You and Life

2026-10-01T19:57:28.120-04:00

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

I love picture books that share people finding confidence in themselves or sharing their light with others. Today we have three newly released picture books that are around these themes and one about seasons too! We will start with the season one. It is Lyric's Favorite Season by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Nora T and the Champion Tree -- Middle Grade Novel Review with STEM

2026-09-30T12:52:28.240-04:00

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

As autumn is hitting New England one often thinks about the trees. Well, I guess the leaves. When Hazel was young, we would take nature walks around the neighborhood and collect leaves. We would do crafts with them, and I would try to teach her about the kinds of trees in the neighborhood. It is important for the next generation to understand the importance of nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a middle grade book about a girl and some large trees. It has some STEM in it as well as the normal life things--friends, family, etc. The book is Nora T and the Champion Tree by Mona Martin Batchelor and illustrations by Maggie Latimer. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Night Ride -- First Children's Book Rendered in Stained Glass & It's Wordless!

2026-09-28T14:57:22.943-04:00

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

Do you remember the feeling of riding a bike as a kid? The wind in your hair? Having your own wheels and thus mode of transportation? It was so exciting to think you could go anywhere without needing the help of an adult. It was even better when you were with a group of your friends. Today we are sharing a very special picture book about a bike ride. It is the first ever children's book illustrated in stain glass, and it is wordless. The book is Night Ride by Christopher Myers. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8 but I always love wordless books for even younger!

Reverse Coloring Calendar and New Markers - A Relaxing Friday Review

2026-09-25T19:24:32.407-04:00

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

Well, this Friday has not really been relaxing. New England is preparing for three days of a Nor'easter so let the winds and rain begin. However, I have been wanting to share these great coloring products with you so today is the day!! Today we are going to talk reverse coloring and new acrylic markers! Talk about fun Relaxing Friday products!! We will start with reverse coloring. Have you tried it? It is when the colors are provided and you have to draw the lines and create whatever picture you want. This is my first time trying it and I got to try it with A Year of Reverse Coloring Page-A-Day 2027 Calendar by Kendra Norton and Workman Calendars.

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Roundup

2026-09-24T22:07:14.741-04:00

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

Do you have a child in your life who loves graphic novels? Today we are sharing three middle grade graphic novels that range in types from fantasy to a book about siblings and friends on a trip to Japan. Between the three books the ages are 8 to 14. The first book is from The Wingfeather Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is four middle grade novels as well as an animated show. Today's book is the first graphic novel of the series! It is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson and illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Fun Stories Kids Will Love

2026-09-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

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

Are you ready for some fun stories that could be any day stories? Today we are sharing two books that are full of fun stories. One is a creative picture book, and the other is a collection of short stories featuring the beloved character, Maisy. We will start with the picture book. It is A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers and illustrated by Kevin Waldron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Books That Teach Concepts to Young Kids

2026-09-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

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

Books that teach different concepts are a fun way to get young kids learning things they know. I always loved them when Hazel was young. Today we get to share three board books from a beloved children's book series, Guess How Much I Love You, and a fun picture book for slightly older kids. We will start with the board books. The first one is Guess How Much I love You: Shapes by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram. The recommended ages are 1 to 3.

Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Book & Activity Book -- Review & Giveaway

2026-09-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this set of books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ryan Cowan to bring you this post.

Do you love Halloween? Do your kids/students? A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to share this book with you and today I am reviewing it again with its activity book! It has been interesting re-reading the book. It has been a while since I have re-read novels. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan, and it is accompanied by Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Activity Book/Novel Study Grades 3-5 also by Ryan Cowan. Now the book has 31 chapters, and the activity book has activity pages for each chapter, so this book is amazing for a countdown to Halloween! After my review is a giveaway!!

Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

2026-09-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a digital 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 Mark C. Fava to bring you this post.

Have you ever wondered how a navy ship is run? Do you have little ones who love ships and everything that moves? Today we are sharing a wonderful book that teaches the lessons from an admiral on a navy ship. The book is Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape by Mark C. Fava and illustrated by Agus Prajogo and Yohanes Bastia. After my review there is a giveaway!

Bella & Bird Explore Sadness -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

2026-09-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

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

Little kids and really all of us have BIG feelings sometimes. Little kids do not always know how to deal with them. Bella and Bird return in a new book focusing on sadness this time! The book is Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon, PhD, LMHC and illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti. There is a giveaway for the series after my review.

Books Featuring the Moon

2026-09-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

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

The moon has fascinated people for centuries. We see it play key roles in folktales from all over the world. Today we are sharing two books featuring the moon. One shares facts about the moon, and one is the retelling of a folktale. The book featuring facts about the moon has various flaps to lift to find out the facts. It is The Moon by Sandra Laboucarie and illustrated by Didier Balicevic. It is recommended for ages 4 to 6 but I would guess really 4 to 8 would enjoy it.

Books for Younger Kids

2026-09-15T14:13:19.899-04:00

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

Looking for some new books for younger kids? Today we have a collection of books that teach pet care, recovering from a mistake, the truth about cicadas and words perfect for helping those learning to read! The first is a board book called Kit and Her Cat by Meredith Walker. It is recommended for babies through age 5. Personally, unless the five-year-old is just learning to read I would recommend baby through 3.

New Dragon Books

2026-09-14T14:59:43.560-04:00

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

Dragons in September always reminds me of Michaelmas. Michaelmas is on September 29th. It is a day that we learned about when we were in parent/child at the Waldorf School. For the Waldorf School, Michaelmas is a day celebrating the story of St. George defeating the dragon. The celebration is about facing our own dragons. Today we are sharing three books featuring dragons, so they are perfect for Michaelmas. The first book however is actually about the Chinese New Year or the lunar new year celebration in China. It is Where's Waldo? The Golden Dragon Chase by Candlewick Press. It is an early reader book and is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Fall & Halloween/Thriller Mysteries for Different Ages

2026-09-12T15:20:10.172-04:00

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

It is after Labor Day, so that means fall is about to begin. I can feel it in the air even though the leaves haven't really started to change yet. We have three new fall/Halloween/thriller mysteries for different ages perfect for the upcoming season! Two are for the younger to middle grades and the third is a young adult book. We will start with the second book in the Squirrel Lock Holmes series. It is a graphic novel style book for early readers. We reviewed the first one here. The second one is Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corn-y Maze by Ashley Belote. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

My Reflections on September 11 -- 25 Years Later

2026-09-11T14:26:30.346-04:00

Photo by Julien DI MAJO on Unsplash

Today I thought I would pause for a few minutes to remember the tragedy of 9/11. It was 25 years ago today. My social media feeds are full of photos, memes and other remembrances. In the past I have shared my story. We all have a story...a memory of where we were when we heard and after. But today I want to focus on things after 2001. In fact, after 2011 when I shared my story.

Diverse Picture Books with Important Messages and Lessons

2026-09-09T12:55:40.916-04:00

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

I love a good picture book, and it is even better when it has diverse characters and important messages and/or lessons. Today we are sharing three new diverse picture books, and each has a wonderful message and lesson. Honestly, I wish I had time to give each of these books their own post because each one is so special, but alas, the beginning of September brings lots of new books to share and this week is full and next week is worse! The first one is part of the STEAMWORKS series. We have been loving this series. They have a nice story and STEAM lessons and more added to them. They are also available in both English and Spanish. The book is Sisters All the Time by Angela Quezada Padron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Fun & Educational Board Books

2026-09-08T14:30:41.960-04:00

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

Do you have a little one who loves board books and interactive books? Today we are sharing four new ones! Three of which are being released today!! One of them is about a Netflix movie that came out this summer, Swapped. We will start with that one. It is Ollie's Big Adventure by Maggie Testa. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Labor Day Reflections from a Math Teacher & Fun Historical Book on the USA

2026-09-07T17:36:19.033-04:00

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

Happy Labor Day!! Labor Day is meant to give workers a day off that isn't a holy holiday or holiday celebrating anything special. I decided today to reflect a bit about working. I have resigned my position as a high school teacher and have decided to focus my energy and life on my family and myself. I found I was too tired to cook good meals or see my parents and with my father's passing it was eye opening to realize I need to see my mom more. However, I have to say Labor Day should be a day for teachers, nurses, police, firemen, and all essential workers. We should reflect on what others do for us and appreciate them!! Today Steve and I decided to commune with nature! We went to a local farm and did the You Pick Flowers. I now have a beautiful bouquet of zinnias, snapdragons and sunflowers. Plus, we spent half an hour or so in the sunshine with flowers, butterflies, bees and each other.

Fun Resources for Art History & Art Appreciation

2026-09-06T16:32:30.348-04:00

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

One of my favorite courses in college was Art Appreciation. The professor was amazing and truly just wanted the students to learn to love art for what it is. It taught some art history but also ways of looking at art. Today's products remind me a bit of that class. The first is a unique art history book. It is Scratch & Sniff Art History: A Smellable Guide to Becoming an Art Expert by Elizabeth Lunday. Talk about adding another dimension to art! It is recommended for ages 14+.

Wish You Well -- Middle School Novel Review

2026-09-05T15:34:59.630-04:00

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

If you could wish for something for yourself, what would it be? Would it be to meet someone famous? Or go somewhere you've never been? Or do something you always wanted to but never would get the chance to? Today we are sharing a middle school novel about three kids who have different illnesses and decide that even though they are "too old" for wishes they will make them but only if all three of them can be at each other's. Then they each struggle with their choices, family, friendships and dealing with their illness. The book is Wish You Well by Jamie Sumner. It is recommended for ages 10+.

How to Catch Challenge & Book Reviews

2026-09-03T14:22:52.424-04:00

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

Have you discovered the How to Catch Series? Sourcebooks has been publishing the series for 10 years and have announced a How to Catch Challenge! It is for classrooms and families to enter!! There are many prizes including a child being a character in a future book in the series to the entire series for a school library. Be sure to check how to enter and all the details and prizes! Now to be honest, I had not read any of the series, so they sent me some books to check out and share with you. Two of them are perfect for Halloween. We will start with the Halloween themed books. The first one is called How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead and illustrated by Megan Joyce. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

The Mystery of the Missing Falls -- Middle Grade Novel Review & Giveaway

2026-09-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review, Jen Weaver, and Gayle Veiterheimer.

I love a good mystery. It is my favorite genre of books to read. Today we are sharing a middle grade mystery that is well written and does so much more than just entertain. The kid detectives in the book use prayer as their secret weapon. It is a very Christian book with some scripture in the story as well. The book is the first in the Kingswell Kid Detective Series. It is The Mystery of the Missing Falls by Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer. After my review there is a giveaway!

Picture Books About Trying to Communicate with Someone Who Speaks a Different Language

2026-08-31T17:03:11.322-04:00

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

Have you ever tried to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you? It can be very difficult, however if you both try you can usually get the general thoughts across. Today we are sharing two new picture books about communicating with someone who only speaks a different language, and they are very different situations. We will start with
Love in Every Language by Anoosha Syed. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.