wanna view some reviews?

Tomorrow brings another little mini-vacation for my crew, so I'm not sure if there will be any blogging going on. (Although I do have a wacky post idea floating around up in my brain somewhere...) Since it's been almost an entire month since I last pimped my own 5M4B reviews, I thought this would be a good time to do so. If you're interested in hearing about what I've been whiling away the hours reading, here's your chance.

* Knowing that this book was sort of self-published through the work of a community website, I was somewhat hesitant to request it, hoping that I didn't dislike it and have to pass on doing a review. BUT-- I was so pleased to find that The Legend of Vinny Whiskers was a unique and endearing story. Aimed at older children, this one is on JAM's bookshelf now, waiting for a break in his Hardy Boys reading run right now.

* Similar in theory to a book I read a few months ago, Learn Me Good is told from the perspective of a first year teacher about the realities of classroom living. This one came at it with a light sense of humor and an enthusiasm that was refreshing.

* While the giveaway may be over, the review of If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Still be Okay is still worth the read, because I really enjoyed this ER pediatrician's informative resource, that made me chuckle and will very likely be turned to many times in our parenting years in the future!

* Our monthly feature Children's Classics approached the idea of Book Trips this time around, and I really enjoyed reading the commenters' posts about their own book-extending experiences with their children.

* Oh my-- want to see two absolutely beautiful children's books? You simply must see Hook and Tsunami! These books really did blow me away.

* There's still time to enter the giveaway for this adorable new children's picture book 1000 Times No. The kids and I have cracked up over this one a few times, and I really do love the cartoonish illustrations, as well as the silly story.

* Here's another giveaway for you, too! If you like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, you'll definitely be pulled in by their latest offering: Tough Times, Tough People, stories about survival, renewal and strength. (I'll be getting an additional Soup book each month all year long, so if this is your type of thing, keep your eye out for this regular giveaways!)

* And finally, a review of a beautifully written new novel set in modern-day Pakistan, The Wish Maker.

As always-- happy reading!