Fur and Feathers by Janet Halfmann Book Review

In this complimentary delightful e-Book that I had a chance to review, I found another great example of how author, Janet Halfmann, can make learning fun with the use of animals.  Janet captures the magic of animals in such detail that it brings them into a whole new light.  I always enjoy reading the books by Janet and can't wait to read them to my daughters.  In Fur and Feathers, Sophia has a dream of great winds whisking the fur and feathers off all her animal friends.  Faced with what to do for these helpless animals, Sophia's creativity uncovers beautiful new ways to cover her friends and teaches a great lesson on sharing, giving and helping others.

Another great feature of Janet's books end with a learning experience for children.  For Creative Minds further challenges children to learn in a fun way with four pages of fun learning activities at the back of the book.

This book is recommended for ages 4-9 and is published by SylvanDellPublishing..

Both my girls enjoyed the story as did I and I think you will too!

You can purchase Janet's book online or any of Sylvan Dell Publishing books here.

Little Black Ant on Park Street by Janet Halfmann Book Review

I had the great pleasure of reading a complimentary copy of one of Janet Halfmann's other books titled Little Skink's Tail and was pleased to be able to review a complimentary copy provided by Janet of her latest book titled Little Black Ant on Park Street. 

Janet is an award winning author of children's books.  With over 30 books to her name, she has an entertaining way of combining educational facts into captivating stories for children.  She pens both fiction and non-fiction to include non-fiction for older children. 

To see a complete collection or to learn more about Janet and her collection of books, visit her home page here.

Product Details:

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
• Hardcover & Softcover 
• Publisher: Soundprints; Har/Com edition (January 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1607270056
• ISBN-13: 978-1607270058

Little Black Ant on Park Street is a fact filled story of the life of an ant and how an ant is able to find her way back to the colony.  Janet provides the little reader with a glimpse of what it's like being an ant from searching for food, communicating with one another and how they sense their way around.  The story provides an educational aspect while offering an entertaining story of the main character.

I think it's a wonderful book for those children that like to understand more about biology and especially bugs.  Janet does a superb job in the details of an ant's life while maintaining a fun character for children to get to know.  The back of the book includes more information about ants, a glossary and points of interests.

The illustrations by Kathleen Rietz are beautiful and vibrant and add to the quality of the story.  Simple things such as incorporating the ants retrieval of nectar from aphids is a wonderful way to teach children more about ants.  Little Black Ant on Park Street is part of Soundprints: Smithsonian Institute and was just released this January. 

There are other items you can purchase to enhance the learning value of Little Black Ant on Park Street such as a 6" Little Black Ant toy, hardcover book with CD, a micro book and 6" toy, a micro hardcover book, a paperback book or a paperback book with CD.  For more information, go here: 

I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys nature, bugs or is just curious to learn more.  The book's ability to combine an educational aspect with entertainment is something I look for when reading to my children.  My six year old enjoyed the story of Little Black Ant.

Catch a glimpse at news, press and activities by Janet by clicking here or follow her on Twitter and become a fan of her on Facebook.

Little Skink's Tail Book Review by Janet Halfmann

This is truly a delightful book after having a chance to read it to my girls.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and the story is fun yet educational.  Little Skink takes his little audience on a journey among many different animals to find a new tail.  The way Ms. Halfmann presents Little Skink's path is interesting, playful and fun.  I like how Ms. Halfmann utilizes the story to teach children about animals and the various tails each one has.  Seeing how Little Skink and his tail are involved in this tale of pursuit is sure to captivate any child.  Laurie Allen Klein's illustrations really piece the whole story together.  I think it will also increase imagination as the children might try to imagine themselves with a different tail just as Little Skink does.

Ms. Halfmann has been writing children's books for more than 20 years.  Little Skink's Tail is her 28th book.  This book was dedicated to her granddaughter which makes it even more speical.  Ms. Halfmann used to be a manager, editor and writer of coloring and activity books for Golden Books so she has plenty of experience on what children like.

The back of Little Skink's Tail has three pages dedicated "for creative minds."  Once you purchase the book, the pages can also be photocopied or downloaded for use.

• Footprint Activity Map
• Adaptations: Why do animals have tails?
• Tail Matching Activity

Each page provided a laugh by my two year old and the six year tried to read the words she knew.  I would recommend this book to any child!  My girls loved it!

If you want more information on this book or any other book offered by Sylvan Dell Publishing, click HERE.

One newer option that I was not aware of are eBooks.  This is great for kids who do love to be on the computer as it allows them to read their favorite book right on the computer!  Click HERE for more information.  Since I had the hard book and access to the eBook for Little Skink's Tail, I was able to compare. There were no differences in the quality or ability to read and another benefit of having an eBook is it takes up less space!

Little Skink's Tail received many awards/recognition:

• 2009 Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Award
• 2009 FPA President's Award Best Children's Book
• 2009 Mom's Choice Awards GOLD:  Best Three Children's Books of 2009, Children's Picture Book-Animal Kingdom, Educators' Choice
• 2009 Florida Recommended Summer Reading List

Sylvan Dell Publishing has many other features outside of books and gifts, they also offer resources for teachers and librarians, parents and homeschoolers and children.

I particularly loved the area for children.  There were fun learning games, activities for creative minds, teaching activities, audio books and much more!

Interested in any author signings and events, Sylvan Dell Publishing has them listed HERE.