It's Avi's 3rd Birthday - I'm Telling Him - How Much Is a Little Boy Worth? - by Rachel and Jacob Denhollander -Wonderful!

Fearfully and wonderfully made to be loved,Valuable just ’cause you’re you,Uniquely designed, you are one of a kind. Little boy, do you know this is true?

Snuggle up and remind your little boy how special and treasured he is.

Your worth doesn’t come from being in charge,Or from money or fame to be won.Your value is found in how you were made―Worth everything, even God’s Son.

I really enjoyed this book. It has a hard cover at a, in my opinion, reasonable price. I was thankful to find that the publisher provided selected pages to allow us to see the beautiful, colorful and fun pictures that you will find! And, I greatly appreciated the pictures (not here) of many colors of children throughout the book. I always recall so many of my school day friends that were a precious part of my own life... The joy of childhood is a very important part of each child's life. Help them realize, also, the significance of Jesus as one of His friends...

Each of the poetic messages are specifically written to allow young boys and other readers to know that Jesus is always a special part of every child's life. Of course, I had to add it to Avi's personal library... This is a book that I highly recommend! And, by the way, there's also a girl's version...

Jesus and Gabby

Loves

AVI

Avi's New Book! By Prolific Children's Author, Carole P. Roman - Henrietta Hedgehog's Prickly Problem! Illustrated by Matteya Arkova!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else

--Judy Garland 

Henrietta Hedgehog rolled into a tight ball under her quilt. She didn't want to go to school today. Mama Hedgehog stood in the doorway. "Henrietta, stop trying to hide! You are late."

Mrs. Shrew will be mad if I am late," she said with a sniff.  "I don't want to go to school." A big fat tear slid down her cheek. "What happened? I thought you loved school!" Mama said.

"I do love school, Mama. It's just...just... I hate being a hedgehog." "You hate being a hedgehog! That's... that's..." Mama sat on the edge of the bed. "Why?" The other kids make fun of me. They say my spines are scary!" Mama Hedgehog wiped Henrietta's tears away. "They're not scary. You have beautiful quills."

Henrietta looked at herself in the mirror. "I don't know about that, Mama. The kids won't sit close to me because they say they're very sharp. I wish I had a busy tail like a squirrel or soft fur like a ferret. Anything but these pesky things," she sighed. Mama frowned.

Henrietta waited for Mama to leave and then took a paper bag from under her pillow. She shoved it into her backpack...

~~~

I've been reading the children's books written by Carole P. Roman for over a decade... and I enjoy each one! In this time when we are even more involved with children and what affects them in school, church, or even at home, it is important to gently but specifically talk about things that bother all of us, from grade school to adult!

Using animal characters often helps to take the child out of this world into a make-believe world where things that make us different in America, can be explored without pinpointing the real differences. In the case of bullying, this may be especially important. I don't think this book is about bullying per se, rather it is a book about getting to know and liking--and loving--ourselves, no matter what we look like...

The minor twist used by Carole in identifying the issue facing Henrietta Hedgehog's prickly problem, was perfect... You see, Henrietta was not liking who she was--a hedgehog that had quills on her body, which, at certain times, would help her against any enemy that might attack another. She knew that if somebody got too close to her, though, they could be hurt, even if she didn't mean to hurt anybody!

What to Do? Henrietta wanted to just not go to school. But her mother wouldn't allow that. So, thinking about those she knew in her class, she remembered that Bella Beaver was somebody she thought looked nice, so she made a mask to wear that made her look just like Bella...

But when she got to school, Bella took one look and thought that Henrietta was making fun of her front teeth, which were Bella's prickly problem for seeing herself as needing to change... Wow! Henrietta soon realized that everybody had something that they didn't like about themselves...and that the others still were willing to be...a prickly hedgehog, a beaver who didn't like her front teeth, a squirrel who doesn't like his "squeaking" voice...and many others who came to talk to Henrietta and tell her that they still liked her, even with her quills!

How about you? Is there anything that you don't like about yourself? Well, think about it and be open to talk about your problem with your mother, or even your teacher... Sometimes, you'll find that the problem you have really isn't prickly at all!

GABixlerReviews

Three Books, Jet the Kitty Series, Added to Avi's Personal Library! By Nathan James and Illustrated by Anadiny Mogno

Hey Avi! Yes, Gabby has some books for you... They are from what you call a series of Jet the Kitty!

The first one is Turn Her Frown Upside Down! Come over and let me read the first page...

It was one of those days where everything goes wrong.

Jet the kitty was sad and grumpy all day long.

First, Jet fell over as she crossed the street - Ahhh!

She found chewing gum stuck to her feet.

~~~

Want to read another one Avi? Let's see what Jet the Kitty discovers in

Mayhem at the Market!

When Jet the Kitty woke up early she meowed "Hurray!"

She's going to the supermarket with her dad today.

"Don't forget to buy healthy food," Mom said.

"Yes ma'am," Dad winked, and mom shook her head.

I laughed when I continued to read, because when Jet and her Dad got to the market, her Dad quickly started talking about buying steaks and burgers. And it was Jet that pointed out that they were not healthy and suggested chicken instead...

And then they "smelled" their way to the bakery and Dad said that they needed white bread, muffins and croissants... Sounded good to me, but it was again Jet who said...that's not healthy." We'll buy whole grain bread instead." What do you think, Avi, will Dad get anything that he wants to buy? Well, they then moved on to the fruit aisle and Jet started to juggle apples, starting with three and continued adding up to nine! Now it was Jet that wasn't doing what was right, as one of her friends came by and pointed to a sign that said no juggling! Of course, by then all the apples were falling on Jet's head and the floor! And that wasn't all the trouble Jet got into! Don't you wonder exactly what they did take home for Mom's inspection?

~~~

Ahhh, I see I now have your full attention! Do you want to read another story? Yes? Well the last one is also about Jet the Kitty and this time she's going to space! Let's read Explores the Solar System: A Rhyming Space Adventure About Planets & The Galaxy. Sound good Avi?

Tonight my pal Twinky and I shall Fly...

Through space, for our great gig beyond the sky!

Together we put on our astronaut suits

Let's find space for our tails, and try walking in...

Big shiny boots!

The first stop was the Sun, but they couldn't stay because it was too hot, realizing that the sun could melt their space rocket! Really, believe it or not... 

Jet decided to fly outside in her space suit while Twinky is the pilot as they head to the first planet, small and dark gray... Actually, this is a guessing game for Jet and Twinky and the first question is to identify the first planet nearest the sun? Avi, can you guess?

But on to the next planet from the sun, known to be the brightest spot in the earth's sky (also hot). Well, I'm learning along with you, Avi, and the next planet is Venus! And then we're traveling back home, because the next planet from the sun is Earth! Before they flew on, they watched the stars in our sky and wondered just how much there is to know!

And would you believe they meet another friend, flying a strange looking vehicle with just a head mask, and also a clue! He offers Jet a treat! Desserts are what this place knows and the chocolates here are something else, then he adds but don't try the rocky road! Funny...but did you guess that it was Mars chocolates...

This last book is quite instructional as well as fun like the other two... While the age is from 3-7, I'll be sharing the books right now... He looks at the pages. The main thing is that I want him to have the experience of holding books in his hands...and, maybe, we can start helping to learn words as he grows...

By the way, these pics are of Avi at an earlier age, suddenly Google picked up my pictures from my phone and brought them here online... (I had been trying to get them through Windows and failed...) But, of course, pictures of somebody you love never lose their value in sharing, don't you think?

This concludes the series, as of now (I had already reviewed another)... The books are bright and colorful, drawing attention first, and then the characters are creatively presented based upon the theme of the story... I can assure you that they are perfect for your children...

God Bless

Gabby

Zilot & Other Important Rhymes, Written by Bob Odenkirk, Author and Comedian with Art by Daughter Erin - A New Addition To Avi's Home Library!

Dear Avi, there are so many mysteries of the world at your age... And your family loves revealing more and more to you each day... God's light will be shared through our love, our sharing, our teaching... I so

enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with you and then pretending to be a cat or a dog...talking to each other... It's fun learning, isn't it?! And, with this latest book, you will even one day learn a new word! Zilot!

Now the question is, first, will anybody who doesn't read this book, ever hear the new word?!

Fortunately, the writer and author chose to allow several pages to be shared... So, right now, let's find out exactly what a Zilot is!

 

~~~

Now, I have this on good authority that this new word was created by the writer's son, so if you think--it is just a tent--an inside tent--well, I think you need to practice your creative thinking... For surely, new words can only arrive to our language from somebody who sees something and "names" it!

This book is hard-backed with 150 pages, jammed pack with 74 different pictures and rhymes that were written by Odenkirk who earns his living by being funny and he enlisted his daughter, Erin, who clearly participates in the humor that is undoubtedly part of their home life! Me, I was hooked when they told me to be sure to bring a flashlight to read! Of course, I use my Kindle to read in the dark... but a flashlight works for big books like this one!

~~~

And I promise you'll meet some very strange people, tall and small, are here to greet you and maybe even split a pea with you!

~~~

And sometimes we will read a very nice rhyme to learn and see! Of course, somebody else might not see the result as we...!

Old Time Rhymes

    I made this up just now

        a long long time ago

            They're new to you

                As You already know

                    They're true and honest

                        and make no sense

                            Fun for the whole family

                                except No parents

~~~

Wonderful Christmas Possibility!

Jesus is the Reason

God's Blessings Upon You All

Gabbie