Kindle Deals for January 5, 2021 (Copy)
Today's Best Book Deals for Your Homeschool
(Prices are correct as of the time of writing, but y'all know sales move fast — check before you click the buy button! These are Amazon links — read more about how we use affiliate links to help support some of the costs of the HSL blog here.)
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The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, by Eleanor Roosevelt, $1.99. First Lady, social justice reformer, and Ambassador to the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman. In this autobiography, she traces her remarkable life, from her childhood in New York through her later years.
First Ladies of the Republic: Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, and the Creation of an Iconic American Role, by Jeanne E. Abrams, $1.99. From the publisher: “America’s first First Ladies—Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison—had the challenging task of playing a pivotal role in defining the nature of the American presidency to a fledgling nation and to the world. In First Ladies of the Republic, Jeanne Abrams breaks new ground by examining their lives as a group. From their visions for the future of the burgeoning new nation and its political structure, to ideas about family life and matrimony, these three women had a profound influence on one another’s views as they created the new role of presidential spouse.”
Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy, by Daniel G. Newman, $2.99. This graphic novel takes a tough look at the American democracy to see what forces influence electoral politics. Newman, who runs a nonpartisan nonprofit, offers possible solutions that will make political power more accessible to and representative of the American people.
First in Line: Presidents, Vice Presidents, and the Pursuit of Power, by Kate Andersen Brower, $2.99. A vice president must be ready to take over for the president at a moment’s notice. But what else does the job entail? Kate Andersen Brower has interviews dozens of staff, family members, and former vice presidents themselves to create an intimate portrait of the role.
STILL ON SALE
Free to Make: How the Maker Movement is Changing Our Schools, Our Jobs, and Our Minds, by Dale Dougherty and Ariane Conrad, $1.99. The creator of MAKE: magazine has put together a history of the maker movement and a call to action for incorporating creativity into modern education and work. Here’s a bit of the publisher’s description: “As the internet thrives and world-changing technologies—like 3D printers and tiny microcontrollers—become increasingly affordable, people around the world are moving away from the passivity of one-size-fits-all consumption and command-and-control models of education and business. Free to Make explores how making revives abandoned and neglected urban areas, reinvigorates community spaces like libraries and museums, and even impacts our personal and social development—fostering a mindset that is engaged, playful, and resourceful. Free to Make asks us to imagine a world where making is an everyday occurrence in our schools, workplaces, and local communities, grounding us in the physical world and empowering us to solve the challenges we face.”
Inventology: How We Dream Up Things that Change the World, by Pagan Kennedy, $1.99. Pagan Kennedy is fascinated by inventions and inventors. By studying the processes that led to some of today’s significant devices, Kennedy has discovered the environments and methods that produce successful innovation.
Mindful Thoughts for Makers: Connecting Head, Heart, Hands, by Ellie Beck, $2.70. This charming book emphasizes the importance of slowing down and creating things by hand. Charming illustrations make the reading experience particularly enjoyable. If you are looking for ways to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life, this is a great place to start. Other books in this series cover other activities, like cycling, stargazing, running, and parenting.
Think Outside the Box, by Justine Avery and Liuba Syrotiuk, $4.99. This colorful and imaginative picture book encourages readers of all ages to think and act creatively.
How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent, by Carla Naumburg, $1.99. This book comes with a robust language warning (as you can probably tell from the title). Naumburg’s funny, useful advice is perfect for any parent who occasionally finds themselves overwhelmed and angry at home. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Drawing on evidence-based practices, here is an insight-packed and tip-filled plan for how to stop the parental meltdowns. Its compassionate, pragmatic approach will help readers feel less ashamed and more empowered to get their, ahem, act together instead of losing it.”
The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans: How to Decode Their Behavior, Develop Trust, and Raise a Respectable Adult, by Josh Shipp, $1.99. Most of us either have teens are preparing for those challenging and pivotal years. From the publisher: “In 2015, Harvard researchers found that every child who does well in the face of adversity has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. But Josh Shipp didn’t need Harvard to know that. Once an at-risk foster kid, he was headed straight for trouble until he met the man who changed his life: Rodney, the foster parent who refused to quit on Shipp and got him to believe in himself. Now, in The Grown-Up’s Guide to Teenage Humans, Shipp shows all of us how to be that caring adult in a teenager’s life. Stressing the need for compassion, trust, and encouragement, he breaks down the phases of a teenage human from sixth to twelfth grade, examining the changes, goals, and mentality of teenagers at each stage. Shipp offers revelatory stories that take us inside the teen brain, and shares wisdom from top professionals and the most expert grown-ups.“
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, $2.99. It is easy to wound others with words; it’s much less easy to find common ground and have difficult conversations. This book offers the foundations for developing a culture of empathy in your home, work, and larger life.
You’re Not Listening, by Kate Murphy, $2.99. I’ve checked this one out from the library. Looking forward to reading it. From the publisher: “In this always illuminating and often humorous deep dive, Murphy explains why we’re not listening, what it’s doing to us, and how we can reverse the trend. She makes accessible the psychology, neuroscience, and sociology of listening while also introducing us to some of the best listeners out there (including a CIA agent, focus group moderator, bartender, radio producer, and top furniture salesman). Equal parts cultural observation, scientific exploration, and rousing call to action that's full of practical advice, You're Not Listening is to listening what Susan Cain's Quiet was to introversion. It’s time to stop talking and start listening.”
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman, $1.99. From our 12 Great Book Series to Read Together: “The original sin of curiosity becomes a triumph rather than a fall in Pullman’s fantasy-world retelling of Paradise Lost. Stubborn, wild Lyra Belacqua comes from an alternate Oxford, where humans’ spirits live beside them in animal form. Independent, untrusting Will Parry comes from our world. Together, they’ll travel through other worlds, meeting witches, cliff ghasts, armored bears, and long-missing parents, on a quest that will save or destroy every world in the cosmos.” If you enjoy the book, be sure to check out the HBO series!
Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes, by Maria Konnikova, $1.99. Sherlock Holmes's prodigious mind has fascinated readers for more than a century. In this clever and fascinating book, psychologist Maria Konnikova examines Sherlock’s powers of observation and deduction to show readers how the brain works and what steps those of us who are not master detectives can take to improve our abilities.
The Carols of Christmas, by Andrew Gant, $1.99. Get ready to dig into the history of the familiar but sometimes strange songs of the holiday season. Who was Good King Wenceslas? Gant is both a historian and composer, and he packs this book full of interesting details.
Carols and Chaos, by Cindy Anstey, $2.99. This Christmassy YA tale has a bit of everything: historical fiction, mystery, a touch of romance. The storyline has hints to Dickens, Austen, and Bronte. In a twist from most classics, the main character is not a gentlewoman but a lady’s maid seeking to make her own fortune. Life becomes complicated when holiday guests bring intrigue and a counterfeiting plot to the employer’s home.
Sneezy the Snowman, by Maureen Wright, $0.99. This funny book about a snowman with a cold will have kids giggling. To warm himself up, he drinks some cocoa, sits near the fire, and accidentally melts (like Olaf!). Luckily, there are local children nearby who are happy to help him build back up.
Snowzilla, by Janet Lawler, $3.99. From the publisher: “It snowed without stopping for week after week. When it ended at last, Cami Lou took a peek. She bundled and booted and zipped up her brother. “Let’s build a huge snowman unlike any other!” Cami Lou and her brother build the biggest, hugest, most mammoth snowman the world has ever seen. It’s Snowzilla! The snowman becomes an instant sensation, and tourists pour into the small town. But not everyone is impressed. Some say the giant snowman brings giant problems. Then a judge rules that Snowzilla must come down. Can Cami Lou and her brother save Snowzilla? This fun winter story combines rhyming text with adorable acrylic and colored pencil artwork.”
There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro, $3.99. The Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly is back with lots more wintry things to swallow. Hilarity ensues.
The Snow Dancer, by Addie Boswell, $4.99. Boswell’s spare text and Lopez’s lovely illustrations really capture the stillness and beauty, and then the exuberant joy, of a snowy day.
The Secret Lives of Color, by Kassia St. Clair, $1.99. Think you know your colors? Think again! St. Clair tells the stories of 75 different shades, their roles in history and culture, and their effects on human perception. The fascinating facts are arranged into quick essays — perfect for a five-minute escape.
A Compendium of Collective Nouns, by Woop Studios and Jason Sacher, $1.99. Did you know that a group of eels is a congress, or a group of canaries is an opera? As a kid, I was fascinated by collective nouns, which range from the boring to the completely fanciful. This compendium collects hundreds of them, interspersed with clever illustrations. A fun read for word nerds everywhere.
Cartographies of Time: A History of Timelines, by Daniel Rosenberg and Anthony Grafton, $2.99. I love self-referential books, and this history of timelines promises to be a great read. Here’s the publisher’s description: “From medieval manuscripts to websites, Cartographies of Time features a wide variety of timelines that in their own unique ways, curving, crossing, branching, defy conventional thinking about the form. A fifty-four-foot-long timeline from 1753 is mounted on a scroll and encased in a protective box. Another timeline uses the different parts of the human body to show the genealogies of Jesus Christ and the rulers of Saxony. Ladders created by missionaries in eighteenth-century Oregon illustrate Bible stories in a vertical format to convert Native Americans. Also included is the April 1912 Marconi North Atlantic Communication chart, which tracked ships, including the Titanic, at points in time rather than by their geographic location, alongside little-known works by famous figures, including a historical chronology by the mapmaker Gerardus Mercator and a chronological board game patented by Mark Twain. Presented in a lavishly illustrated edition, Cartographies of Time is a revelation to anyone interested in the role visual forms have played in our evolving conception of history.”
100 Snowmen, by Jen Arena and Stephen Gilpin, $0.99. This fun counting book sneaks in some real math practice! When different groups of snowmen meet up for various activities, the text adds them up to find out how many there are in total. Gilpin’s fun illustrations mean that the adding never feels like work.
Scooper and Dumper, by Lindsay Ward, $4.99. Two work trucks must work together in this charming picture book. Here’s the publisher’s description: “The best of friends, Scooper the front loader and Dumper the snowplow take care of their town in all kinds of weather. One day a snowstorm hits, and the big city needs their help to clear the roads. Each of them must be brave in their own way to get the job done. This wintry adventure spotlights the ideas of individual strengths, teamwork, and friendship in a vehicle buddy story that boys and girls alike will love.”
The Reader, by Amy Hest, $3.99. I love this sweet picture book. A reader and his trusty companion set out an a fantastically snowy journey. They travel up a big hill, read a book at the top, and then sled back down again. The simple text feels both sophisticated and cozy.
The 12 Snow Days of Winter, by EW Turner, $2.99. If you’ve been looking for a secular alternative to The Twelve Days of Christmas, this is exactly what you need. You’ll find a wintry take on the classic song, with snowmen, sleds, cocoa, and more.
The Book of Circles: Visualizing Spheres of Knowledge, by Manuel Lima, $3.99. This book is really, really cool. Lima focuses on images from art, history, and science to show how circles can be used to organize information. The book is picture-heavy, but there’s an introduction explaining some history and taxonomy of circle diagrams. Share this one with your kids to get them thinking about clever ways to create infographics and diagrams.
Encyclopedia of Rainbows: Our World Organized by Color, by Julia Seabrook Ream, $1.99. The concept of this book is simple: Ream collects and arranges objects in every color of the rainbow. They are fascinating to look at. The adjacent page provides labels, which would make a good starting point for deep-dive research. You’ll find arrangements of everything from eggs to beans to currency.
Cut in Half: The Hidden World Inside Everyday Objects, by Mark Warren, $2.99. The cover says it all. This is a book of objects cut in half by a high-powered waterjet cutter. If you’ve ever wondered what was going on inside a telephone or a waffle maker, this book is for you. All the parts are labeled, with brief information about what each element does. I was completely fascinated by all of the inner workings, and I suspect you will be too. (This book really needs to be viewed in color for full effect.)
The Where, the Why, and the How, by Jenny Volvoski, Matt Lamothe, and Julia Rothman, $2.99. I squealed when this book came up on Amazon’s deals page; it is just that cool. There are 75 short chapters, each a scientific question like “Where will the next pandemic come from?” or “What triggers puberty?” Each question is answered by an expert in the field and is illustrated by a different artist. Some of the illustrations are technical, others are more conceptual. If you like the art, it’s easy to find more, as each question gives contact information on the artist.
Sister of the Chosen One, by Erin Armknecht and Colleen Oakes, $1.99. Looking for a book about sibling relationships or a book where girls kick butt? We’ve got you covered! Valora is the Chosen One, the girl destined to fight a great evil. She’s famous, revered by teens and adults alike. Her sister Grier is none of those things. Grier is quiet, average-looking, and prefers the company of books. When Grier starts to uncover her own powers, questions start to arise about who is really the Chosen One.
If We Were Us, by K.L. Walther, $1.99. This is a teen romance with a twist! Everyone assumes that Sage and Charlie will end up together. But when a new boy arrives at school, Charlie finds himself unexpectedly attracted to him. At the same time, Sage starts to spend more time with Charlie’s brother. How will the four of them balance what everyone expects with what they really want?
Terrarium: 33 Glass Gardens to Make Your Own, by Anna Bauer and Noam Levy, $1.99. As the weather gets colder, consider creating a micro garden inside! This book will lead you through all the steps to create terrariums based on ecosystems around the world.
Make the Bread, Buy the Butter: What You Should (and Shouldn’t!) Cook from Scratch to Save Time and Money, by Jennifer Reese, $1.99. We have the general feeling that homemade food is always going to be better than store bought, but Jennifer Reese has done the research to see which items are cost-effective and delicious to make on your own. There are recipes included that will have you making your own yogurt, chicken stock, onion rings, and more.
Pom-Poms: 25 Awesomely Fluffy Projects, by Sarah Goldschadt and Lexi Walters Wright, $2.99. Pom-poms are a lot of fun to make, and they are a project that is simple enough for fairly young kids to try. Suddenly, you have a house full of pom-poms and nothing to do with them. This book comes to the rescue with clever ideas for decorating with pom-poms. You’ll also learn how to make patterned pom-poms and how to incorporate pom-poms into other projects.
Lobizona, by Romina Garber, $2.99. Manuela is an undocumented immigrant living in Miami. When her mother is arrested by ICE and other family members are threatened, she discovers the unexpected secret of her father’s family: they are Lobizonas, or werewolves. This book has a hint of the Harry Potter coming-of-age quest, a fascinating look at Argentinian folklore, and an important take on identity and the undocumented immigrant experience.
All-American Muslim Girl, by Nadine Jolie Courtney, $2.99. This is not the usual book about religion, culture, and fitting in. In this case, a non-practicing Muslim who has largely assimilated into secular American culture wonders how to connect to her identity in the face of Islamophobia. Here’s a summary from the publisher: “Allie Abraham has it all going for her—she’s a straight-A student, with good friends and a close-knit family, and she’s dating popular, sweet Wells Henderson. One problem: Wells’s father is Jack Henderson, America’s most famous conservative shock jock, and Allie hasn’t told Wells that her family is Muslim. It’s not like Allie’s religion is a secret. It’s just that her parents don’t practice, and raised her to keep it to herself. But as Allie witnesses Islamophobia in her small town and across the nation, she decides to embrace her faith—study, practice it, and even face misunderstanding for it. Who is Allie, if she sheds the façade of the ‘perfect’ all-American girl?”
Find Layla, by Meg Elison, $1.99. I’ve been seeing ads and reviews for this newly published book all over the place, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I’m excited to get to know scientifically minded Layla, who decides to do a school project about the unique biome of her home, which is in a gruesome state of neglect. Can she withstand the scrutiny, legal proceedings, pity, and derision her revelation inspires?
Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner, $0.99. I’ve talked about Kate Messner’s books before. These picture books do a lovely job of illustrating the parts of nature that are hard for us to observe. Take a break from your warm summer day to explore how many animals spend their winters.
The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter’s Wonder, by Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson, $0.99. This book is just so beautiful! You’ll enjoy the combination of illustrations, scientific details, and up close photographs of actual snowflakes. The listed ages are 3-7, but I suspect many older kids and adults will learn something in these pages.
The Cool Story Behind Snow, by Joe Rao, $3.99. The Science of Fun Stuff series from Ready to Read is great for getting kids excited about reading nonfiction. This book is filled with facts about snowflakes, weather patterns, different kinds of snow, and more.
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Glacier Adventure, by Samantha Brooke, $2.99. This early reader is based on the Netflix revival of the Magic School Bus series. The bad news? The original Miss Frizzle has moved on to other work, and her niece is now teaching the kids. The good news? A whole bunch of new adventures await! In this one, the class explores glaciers to learn how they are formed, what they can tell us about the past, and how climate change is affecting them.
Looking Within: Understanding Ourselves Through Human Imaging, by Cullen Ruff, $0.99. This doctor’s take on the role of CTs, x-rays, and other imaging tools on diagnosing diseases is really interesting. He puts together vignettes about each case that blend the clinical with the personal. The result is informative and very readable.
Accidental Medical Discoveries: How Tenacity and Pure Dumb Luck Changed the World, by Robert W. Winters, $1.99. I love to learn about the circumstances of invention. What happened to inspire someone to come up with a new innovation? What were they trying to accomplish? This book is a fun dive into 25 medical discoveries, from contact lenses to dental implants to blood pressure medication.
A Warrior of the People: How Susan La Flesche Overcame Racial and Gender Inequality to Become America’s First Indian Doctor, by Joe Starita, $1.99. I’m always so excited to learn about a remarkable woman. Susan La Flesche definitely qualifies. Here’s the publisher’s description: “On March 14, 1889, Susan La Flesche Picotte received her medical degree—becoming the first Native American doctor in U.S. history. She earned her degree thirty-one years before women could vote and thirty-five years before Indians could become citizens in their own country. By age twenty-six, this fragile but indomitable Native woman became the doctor to her tribe. Overnight, she acquired 1,244 patients scattered across 1,350 square miles of rolling countryside with few roads. Her patients often were desperately poor and desperately sick—tuberculosis, small pox, measles, influenza—families scattered miles apart, whose last hope was a young woman who spoke their language and knew their customs. This is the story of an Indian woman who effectively became the chief of an entrenched patriarchal tribe, the story of a woman who crashed through thick walls of ethnic, racial and gender prejudice, then spent the rest of her life using a unique bicultural identity to improve the lot of her people—physically, emotionally, politically, and spiritually.”
Sick Girl, by Amy Silverstein, $1.99. Amy was only 24 when her heart began to fail. Over the next several years, her life was defined by treatments, surgeries, and recovery. This is her funny, honest, sometimes scathing memoir of life with a critical illness.
Would You Rather? Thanksgiving Edition, by Riddleland, $3.99. Looking for something to talk about over the dinner table? This collection of hilarious “would you rather?” questions is the perfect conversation starter. Would you rather eat raw turkey or raw pumpkin pie? You’ll find tons of similar questions in this fun book.
May We Have Enough to Share, by Richard Van Camp, $4.99. This sweet and genuine poem about the importance of gratitude is illustrated with gorgeous photos of indigenous families at work and play.
When We Are Kind, by Monique Gray Smith, $4.99. Written by a Native American author, this book focuses on the importance of making connections. Here’s the publisher’s description: “When We Are Kind celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives. Celebrated author Monique Gray Smith has written many books on the topics of resilience and reconciliation and communicates an important message through carefully chosen words for readers of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by artist Nicole Neidhardt, this book encourages children to be kind to others and to themselves.”
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey, by Lucille Colandro, $3.99. The publisher’s description is really all you need to know: “The old lady is at it again, and this time she's swallowing a Turkey . . . she's always been quirky! You won't believe why this old lady swallowed a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and a horn of plenty! Read this book and find out why!”
Duck for Turkey Day, by Jacqueline Jules, $2.99. Tuyet is getting ready for Thanksgiving, but she’s feeling worried and awkward. Her family doesn’t have turkey on Thanksgiving, and she thinks the other kids will make fun of her for being different. She’s pleasantly surprised to discover that families actually have a wide variety of food traditions at Thanksgiving.
Turkey Trouble, by Wendi Silvano, $0.99. Turkey is in danger of being eaten. How can he survive Thanksgiving? Maybe if he finds just the right disguise, the humans won’t notice him.
How to Catch a Turkey, by Adam Wallace, $4.49. There’s a turkey on the loose in this funny rhyming book. How will the kids track it down? (Don’t worry, being caught does not mean death.)
A Plump and Perky Turkey, by Teresa Bateman, $3.99. This looks like a lot of fun. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Turkeys around Squawk Valley just don't jump into pots anymore -- they are way too smart for that. So the townspeople hatch a clever plan. They host a turkey-themed arts and crafts fair and lure a vain bird into town by advertising for an artist's model. Peter the Turkey, proud of his well-stuffed form, takes the bait but doesn't fall for the trap.”
I am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids, by Sheri Wall, $3.99. I love the multicultural illustrations in this sweet rhyming book. Meet three different families and see how each celebrates the holiday with their own traditions.
The Night Before Thanksgiving, by Natasha Wing, $4.99. Fans of Highlights for Children or Cricket magazines will recognize Natasha Wing’s sweet illustration style. Join the family as they get ready for the big day, with food prep, family visitors, special TV shows, and more.
Choose to Reuse, by Lisa Bullard, $4.99. Tyler and Trina want to do more to help the environment, so they decide to look for ways to reduce their waste by reusing items in their house. Simple text and bright illustrations encourage kids to look for their own ways to use resources wisely.
Secret Lives of the First Ladies, Cormac O’Brien, $2.99. The First Ladies are an interesting group, each of them far more than just the wife of a president. Today we have a fun little book about the First Ladies. This short book gives interesting facts about these famous (and sometimes forgotten) women, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump.
To the Top: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountain, by Sydelle Kramer, $4.99. Get ready for one heck of a hike! This heavily illustrated chapter book details Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay’s perilous but successful attempt to climb Mount Everest.
Hike, by Pete Oswald, $0.99. This mostly wordless picture book follows a father and child on a gorgeous trek out of the city and out into nature. Have your kids make up text to go along with the lovely imagery.
Steam Train, Dream Train, by Sherri Duskey Rinker, $0.99. All aboard the Dream Train! This bedtime story is the perfect balance of wacky action and soothing repetition. In the dream world, the train is staffed by animals — giraffes, kangaroos, monkey, and more — who load each car with unusual items. Tom Lichtenheld’s drawings are perfect as always.
Higher: 100 Years of Boeing, by Russ Banham, $3.99. Boeing started as a small company making float planes and has grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of modern aircraft. This book, a detailed history of the company, also traces major developments in aviation technology. Dozens of color illustrations will thrill history or transportation fans.
Montessori Parent Coronavirus Survival Guide, by Trillium Montessori, $4.99. Whether you began this year with kids in school or you were already homeschooling, Covid has impacted that way all of us are approaching learning. This book, featuring essays from 10 Montessori educations, offers useful advice for homeschoolers of every age. You’ll learn about managing sibling conflict, ways to keep interest, useful supplies to have on hand, and more.
Cars: Rushing! Honking! Zooming! by Patricia Hubbell, $2.49. Get ready for some onomatopoeias and action verbs! This book is packed full of interesting language about different types of cars and what they can do. Hubbell’s similar book about trains is also on sale.
The Ghost Army of World War II: How One Top-Secret Unit Deceived the Enemy with Inflatable Tanks, Sound Effects, and Other Audacious Fakery, by Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles, $2.99. I am not usually much of a military history fan, but this story is so crazy that I find it fascinating. The US Army created a division of artists and other creatives designed to confuse the enemy by moving decoy tanks and other equipment to strategic locations.
The Wall, by Eve Bunting, $4.99. I remember watching the Reading Rainbow episode about this book when I was much younger. It made quite an impression. A boy and his father travel to the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial to look for a family member’s name on the wall. The story is somber but gentle.
Hero Mom, by Melinda Hardin, $3.99. This inclusive and engaging picture book shows military women in many different roles: pilots, medics, construction supervisors, and more. x
Bad Kitty for President, by Nick Bruel, $4.96. I really enjoy Bad Kitty. She’s a wild, cantankerous character who does all the terrible things we sometimes dream about. In this heavily illustrated chapter book, Bad Kitty decides to run for president of the Neighborhood Cat Coalition. The story is filled with hallmark Bad Kitty mayhem and laughs, but it also manages to sneak in a lot of details about the real electoral process.
How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems, by Randall Monroe, $4.99. If you love humor, science, or XKCD, this one is for you. Honestly, the publisher does such a good job with the description that I don’t need to write another one (except to say that I love it): “For any task you might want to do, there's a right way, a wrong way, and a way so monumentally complex, excessive, and inadvisable that no one would ever try it. How To is a guide to the third kind of approach. It's full of highly impractical advice for everything from landing a plane to digging a hole. Bestselling author and cartoonist Randall Munroe explains how to predict the weather by analyzing the pixels of your Facebook photos. He teaches you how to tell if you're a baby boomer or a 90's kid by measuring the radioactivity of your teeth. He offers tips for taking a selfie with a telescope, crossing a river by boiling it, and powering your house by destroying the fabric of space-time. And if you want to get rid of the book once you're done with it, he walks you through your options for proper disposal, including dissolving it in the ocean, converting it to a vapor, using tectonic plates to subduct it into the Earth's mantle, or launching it into the Sun.”
Vintage Hairstyles: Simple Steps for Retro Hair with a Modern Twist, by Emma Sundh and Sarah Wing, $1.99. I’m a huge fan of period television, especially Miss Fisher and Frankie Drake. I’ve always marveled at their hairstyles, which I had no idea how to recreate. This book walks the reader through styling tips for retro hair, makeup, and fashion from the 1910s to the 1960s. Grab the book, put on a little old-fashioned television, and style yourself or your kids to fit the part! Who says dressing up has to stop after Halloween?
You Wouldn’t Want to Be Guy Fawkes: A Plot You’d Rather Not Know About, by Fiona Macdonald, $5.99. This is priced slightly higher than my normal deal cap, but it’s one of few readily available children’s books describing Britain’s Gunpowder Plot. While few people in the US are aware of the 1605 failed terror attempt, the day is marked with celebrations and bonfires each year in the UK. This book explains Guy Fawkes’s role in an attempt to blow up the Parliament, his (gruesome) punishment, and how his name has become synonymous with traitor.
The Ultimate Guide to Mushrooms: How to Identify and Gather Over 200 Species Throughout North America and Europe, by Guillaume Eyssartier and Julien Norwood, $1.99. Perhaps getting out of the house for a while would be good for your mood! You know what would make it even better? A foraging trip where you come home with things you can eat for dinner! This detailed guide identifies both edible and toxic mushrooms commonly found in North America. Once you’ve gathered some safe ones, refer to the 40 recipes for what to do with them. Yum!
The Titanic: Lost… and Found, by Judy Donnelly, $4.99. This early reader was one of my daughter’s favorite books for several years. The story of the Titanic’s sinking and rediscovery is told in short paragraphs with excellent, dramatic illustrations.
What is the President’s Job? by Allison Singer, $2.99. DK is back with an easy reader guide to presidents for early elementary readers. Kids will find out how a person becomes president, where the president lives, what tasks a president does, and more. Photos and sidebars provide information about noteworthy presidents of the past.
P is for President, by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, $3.99. Despite the title, this is not an alphabet book. Lewison walks kids through all of what it means to be president in this charmingly illustrated book. Here’s the publisher’s description: “Being President of the United States is a big job —he biggest job in all of America! Follow the president as he or she campaigns, runs, moves into the White House, and works to fix problems. Learn about historically significant presidents along the way, and see what it takes to be president. Do you have what it takes to run the U.S.?”
On the Playground: Our First Talk About Prejudice, by Jillian Roberts, $4.99. This book is a good conversation starter about the importance of respecting differences. Photos and illustrations of a diverse array of children at play reinforce the idea that what makes each child unique is important. Here’s the publisher’s description: “On the Playground: Our First Talk About Prejudice focuses on introducing children to the complex topic of prejudice. Crafted around a narrative between a grade-school-aged child and an adult, this inquiry-focused book will help children shape their understanding of diversity so they are better prepared to understand, and question, prejudice witnessed around them in their day-to-day lives and in the media. Dr. Jillian Roberts discusses types of discrimination children notice, what prejudice means, why it's not okay, how to stand up against it and how kids can spread a message of inclusion and acceptance in the world around them.”